30 militants, six soldiers killed in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - At least 30 Islamist insurgents and six soldiers were killed Saturday in Pakistan’s tribal region near the Afghan border, a security official said.

The fighting took place in the Orakzai district, where government forces launched an offensive last week to rout Taliban and Al Qaeda militants controlling the large territory.

A senior military official told DPA that the security forces had taken control of two important heights around Bezoti area of the district after encountering tough resistance from the terrorists.

“During this operation 30 terrorists were killed and many were injured,” he said, putting the miitary’s losses at six dead and 10 injured.

Orkzai is the latest battleground in the tribal region after militants moved there following a military offensive in the neighbouring district of South Waziristan in mid-October.

According to official data, more than 200 militants have died so far in the battles in Orakzai. Many of them are fighters linked to Al Qaeda.

The military operation has also displaced thousands of families who have taken shelter in the Hangu district in North-West Frontier Province.

Washington has praised Pakistani action against insurgents who also target NATO-led international forces in Afghanistan in cross-border raids.