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Deadly clashes in tribal Pakistan Deadly clash in tribal Pakistan
(about 3 hours later)
Pakistani officials say troops in a tribal area along the Afghan border have clashed with pro-Taleban militants, killing up to 25. Pakistani troops have killed about 25 pro-Taleban militants in fierce clashes in a tribal area along the Afghan border, officials say.
At least two soldiers were killed. The militants say many more troops died. There is no independent verification.At least two soldiers were killed. The militants say many more troops died. There is no independent verification.
The clashes took place in the Loi Sum area in Bajaur, part of Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata). The clashes took place in the Loi Sum area in Bajaur, part of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata).
The Taleban currently control large parts of Fata, while Bajaur is a haven for Taleban and al-Qaeda militants. Bajaur has seen missile attacks in the past, but this is the first time troops have fought militants on the ground.
In other violence in the north-west, suspected militants burnt down a girls' college and a school in Swat district, police said.
All eight classrooms of the college in the militant stronghold of Matta were damaged.
In the Madyan area to the north of Matta, 15 armed men burnt down a girls' school, destroying its furniture and office records, police said.
Heavy weapons
Clashes began late on Wednesday when militants intercepted a security vehicle in the Loi Sum area, some 12km (7.5 miles) south-west of Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur tribal district, officials say.
A Taleban spokesman, Maulvi Omar, said 15 soldiers had been killed in the clashes but added that he did not have details of militant casualties, the AFP news agency reported.A Taleban spokesman, Maulvi Omar, said 15 soldiers had been killed in the clashes but added that he did not have details of militant casualties, the AFP news agency reported.
Clashes began late on Wednesday when militants intercepted a security vehicle in the Loi Sum area. Reports from the area say clashes continue unabated and both sides are using heavy weapons.
"We have reports of 25 militants. Two paramilitary soldiers were also killed and three wounded," an unnamed government official was quoted by news agency Reuters as saying."We have reports of 25 militants. Two paramilitary soldiers were also killed and three wounded," an unnamed government official was quoted by news agency Reuters as saying.
Taleban fighters attacked Pakistani troops with rockets and automatic weapons, officials said. Sources in Bajaur administration said more than 200 troops were mobilised on Wednesday morning to redeploy at a border post which was abandoned some months ago following repeated attacks by militants.
Fighting continued overnight as army helicopter gunships were used to strike militant hideouts in the mountainous region, the reports said. The area is strategically located between Bajaur and Mohmand tribal districts close to the Afghan border.
There are regular clashes between government troops and pro-Taleban militants in the tribal regions bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. Militants in the two districts have been linking up with each other via the route that passes through the area.
The move by the security forces indicates they plan to close this route, says the BBC's M Ilyas Khan.
The Taleban are reported to have retaliated with full force.
A spokesman, Maulvi Omar, told the BBC Urdu service the militants attacked the security convoy of armoured personnel carriers and tanks when it attempted to advance into the area on Wednesday.
All roads in the area have remained close to traffic since Wednesday and sources said government artillery positioned in Khar was pounding militant positions in the Loi Sam area.
Residents of the area have been trapped in their homes, while some families are reported to have shifted to safer places, witnesses say.
They said a Taleban leader in Bajaur, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, has warned locals over the radio not to leave the area. He said anyone found to have passed any Taleban-related information to the government will be beheaded.
Our correspondent says Bajaur has been the scene of several missile attacks in the past, but this is the first regular ground engagement between the militants and the government troops.