This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6992604.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pakistan troops battle militants Many killed near Pakistani border
(about 7 hours later)
Fierce fighting raged overnight between Pakistani troops and pro-Taleban militants near the Afghan border. Fierce fighting between Pakistani troops and pro-Taleban militants fighting near the Afghan border has left dozens dead, both sides say.
The army says up to 30 militants may have been killed in the clashes around Nawazkot just inside the border of the South Waziristan tribal area. The army says it has killed up to 70 militants. The rebels say twice that number of troops are dead. Neither claim can be independently verified.
A local official told the BBC that 10 troops had also been killed. The army says they were injured. Local officials confirmed 10 soldiers and eight rebels dead. Villagers say an army camp for 90 troops is destroyed.
Violence has soared since troops were sent in to oust radical Islamists from Islamabad's Red Mosque in July. The US says Pakistan's border areas are a safe haven for Taleban and al-Qaeda.
More than 100 people died in the operation. Violence has soared in Pakistan, mainly in the north-west, since troops were sent in to oust radical Islamists from Islamabad's Red Mosque in July.
US visitUS visit
The latest fighting has taken place around Nawazkot just inside the border of the South Waziristan tribal area.
The Nawazkot area is close to Ramzak, an important military town across the border in North Waziristan.The Nawazkot area is close to Ramzak, an important military town across the border in North Waziristan.
The militants are reported to have attacked a military post manned by 16 soldiers, sparking a battle in which the military called in army helicopter gunships.The militants are reported to have attacked a military post manned by 16 soldiers, sparking a battle in which the military called in army helicopter gunships.
"There were repeated attacks, which were repelled... We are hearing from local sources that militants suffered massive casualties," military spokesman Gen Waheed Arshad told the Associated Press news agency. "There were repeated attacks, which were repelled," military spokesman Gen Waheed Arshad told the Associated Press news agency.
He says troops were only injured, not killed. He said local sources were reporting at least 30 militants killed. Two soldiers had died in the fighting and eight were wounded, he added.
But a local official confirmed to the BBC that 10 soldiers had been killed, and nine troops injured in the clashes. Local officials admit the military has suffered heavy losses during the attacks. They say most of the soldiers were killed in rocket attacks on a school where they were based.
He said eight pro-Taleban militants were also killed. One local official confirmed to the BBC early on Friday that at least 10 soldiers had been killed, and nine injured. He said eight pro-Taleban militants had also died.
The militants deny any casualties in the clashes, and claim to have killed 150 soldiers.
The latest fighting coincides with a visit to Pakistan by the American deputy secretary of state, John Negroponte.The latest fighting coincides with a visit to Pakistan by the American deputy secretary of state, John Negroponte.
The United States is pressing Pakistan to take stronger action against Taleban and al-Qaeda militants operating from its border areas.The United States is pressing Pakistan to take stronger action against Taleban and al-Qaeda militants operating from its border areas.
On Wednesday, Mr Negroponte praised Pakistan for "more than doing its share in the war against terror".
Kidnapping spreeKidnapping spree
There has been a spate of kidnappings in and around the tribal areas in recent weeks.There has been a spate of kidnappings in and around the tribal areas in recent weeks.
Scores of soldiers abducted a fortnight ago are still being held in South Waziristan. The rebels say they are holding about 300 troops.Scores of soldiers abducted a fortnight ago are still being held in South Waziristan. The rebels say they are holding about 300 troops.
On Wednesday, 12 more soldiers were abducted outside the town of Bannu, just over the border from North Waziristan in North West Frontier Province.On Wednesday, 12 more soldiers were abducted outside the town of Bannu, just over the border from North Waziristan in North West Frontier Province.
The militants have demanded the release of a number of prisoners and an end to military deployment in their area.The militants have demanded the release of a number of prisoners and an end to military deployment in their area.
Last month, militants beheaded a kidnapped soldier and videotaped the killing.Last month, militants beheaded a kidnapped soldier and videotaped the killing.
Correspondents say that the kidnapping of so many soldiers, apparently without a fight, has been a major embarrassment for the authorities.Correspondents say that the kidnapping of so many soldiers, apparently without a fight, has been a major embarrassment for the authorities.