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Pakistan 'attacks' militant camp Pakistan air strike on militants
(about 2 hours later)
The Pakistani army says it has carried out air strikes on camps used by militants in the tribal area of South Waziristan near the Afghanistan border.The Pakistani army says it has carried out air strikes on camps used by militants in the tribal area of South Waziristan near the Afghanistan border.
Army spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan said most of the 25-30 militants in the camps had been killed.Army spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan said most of the 25-30 militants in the camps had been killed.
The army had used combat helicopters to attack the camps in the Zamzola area in South Waziristan, he said.The army had used combat helicopters to attack the camps in the Zamzola area in South Waziristan, he said.
The border region is outside government control and is believed to be a base for al-Qaeda and some of its leaders. Much of the border region is outside government control and is believed to be a base for al-Qaeda and its leaders.
The army carried out the operation in South Waziristan early on Tuesday after receiving information that militants were hiding in five mud-walled compounds, Maj Gen Sultan said.The army carried out the operation in South Waziristan early on Tuesday after receiving information that militants were hiding in five mud-walled compounds, Maj Gen Sultan said.
"We believe most of them were killed, but we don't have a body count," he said."We believe most of them were killed, but we don't have a body count," he said.
He said the militants included some foreigners, but "no high-value target was believed to be there".He said the militants included some foreigners, but "no high-value target was believed to be there".
Eyewitnesses say ten bodies have been dug up so far. Three of them have been identified as local Mahsud tribesmen.
Other bodies are unidentifiable as they have been so badly mutilated in the attack.
Witnesses say that between eight to 10 people appear to have survived the attack with injuries, but no other details are available at the moment.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says this kind of strike has become rare within the last year.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says this kind of strike has become rare within the last year.
Previously the army had tried to clear al-Qaeda fugitives and other foreign fighters out of the lawless border area, but it encountered such stiff resistance from local tribesmen that it signed peace deals with them.Previously the army had tried to clear al-Qaeda fugitives and other foreign fighters out of the lawless border area, but it encountered such stiff resistance from local tribesmen that it signed peace deals with them.
TensionsTensions
The operation came hours after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Kabul for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.The operation came hours after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Kabul for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Earlier this month, US National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said the leaders of al-Qaeda had found a secure hideout in Pakistan from where they were rebuilding their strength. Pakistan rejected the comments.Earlier this month, US National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said the leaders of al-Qaeda had found a secure hideout in Pakistan from where they were rebuilding their strength. Pakistan rejected the comments.
Islamabad signed controversial peace accords with militants in the semi-autonomous tribal areas of North Waziristan in September 2006 and in South Waziristan in April 2004.Islamabad signed controversial peace accords with militants in the semi-autonomous tribal areas of North Waziristan in September 2006 and in South Waziristan in April 2004.
The deals - intended to end violence between tribal militants and Pakistani troops - increased friction between Afghanistan and Pakistan, two key allies in the US-led "war on terror".The deals - intended to end violence between tribal militants and Pakistani troops - increased friction between Afghanistan and Pakistan, two key allies in the US-led "war on terror".
The US military said militant attacks in Afghanistan near the Pakistani border tripled in some areas following the North Waziristan deal.The US military said militant attacks in Afghanistan near the Pakistani border tripled in some areas following the North Waziristan deal.
According to an International Crisis Group report earlier in December, Islamabad had allowed "a virtual mini Taleban-style state" to flourish on the border with Afghanistan.According to an International Crisis Group report earlier in December, Islamabad had allowed "a virtual mini Taleban-style state" to flourish on the border with Afghanistan.
The policy of "appeasement" had allowed militants to regroup and rearm and encouraged a surge in cross-border attacks in Afghanistan, the report said.The policy of "appeasement" had allowed militants to regroup and rearm and encouraged a surge in cross-border attacks in Afghanistan, the report said.
Pakistan rejected the accusations.Pakistan rejected the accusations.
Analysts believe al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden could be hiding in the tribal areas.Analysts believe al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden could be hiding in the tribal areas.