Pakistan/Afghanistan

Four policemen killed in Pakistan

Article published on the 2009-07-10 Latest update 2009-07-10 12:29 TU

Many civilians remain displaced by the fighting
(Photo: Reuters)

Four Pakistani tribal policemen were killed when around two dozen gunmen attacked a checkpoint on the border with Afghanistan.

The attack took place overnight near Khar, the main town in the semi-autonomous region of Bajaur, a local government official said.

The post, set up to conduct security checks on the main road heading into Khar, was destroyed.

The incident came after gunmen abducted a policeman in the neighbouring town of  Mamoun.

"Militants abducted a tribal police personnel as he was returning home," local government official Fazal-i-Rabi told the AFP news agency.

Pakistani intelligence officials claimed that jets had destroyed several pro-Taliban hide-outs late on Thursday in the Aurakzai tribal region, killing 24 insurgents. The claims have not been independently verified.