Troops kill 12 militants in northwest Pakistan
By DPA, IANSMonday, June 28, 2010
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani security forces killed at least 12 militants in the northwestern tribal region, officials said Monday.
The clashes occurred in Orakzai district where security forces launched an offensive in March against Taliban and Al Qaeda to re-capture the area.
A senior official said militants fired rockets at an army outpost injuring one officer and two soldiers.
“The forces immediately responded using artillery and gunship helicopters and killed at least 12 attackers,” the official said.
Islamist rebels retreated to Orakzai district after being pushed out of South Waziristan by a government military offensive last year.
Troops have taken control of a major portion of the district, but the militants are still entrenched in certain areas, which they use to train and launch attacks on the security forces.
