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Pakistani border death toll rises Pakistani border death toll rises
(20 minutes later)
Forty five Pakistani soldiers and 130 pro-Taleban militants have died in two days of fierce fighting in North Waziristan, the Pakistani army says. Forty-five Pakistani soldiers and 130 pro-Taleban militants have died in two days of fierce fighting in North Waziristan, the Pakistani army says.
Earlier, the military said 50 of its troops had gone missing during the battle near the Afghan border.Earlier, the military said 50 of its troops had gone missing during the battle near the Afghan border.
The soldiers had disappeared after militants attacked security posts and an army patrol outside the town of Mir Ali over the weekend.The soldiers had disappeared after militants attacked security posts and an army patrol outside the town of Mir Ali over the weekend.
By Monday night, many of the men had been relocated, but 25 were found dead.By Monday night, many of the men had been relocated, but 25 were found dead.
Fierce fightingFierce fighting
After a number of attacks on military convoys over the weekend, the army sent helicopter gunships and jet fighters to target suspected militant positions in several villages.After a number of attacks on military convoys over the weekend, the army sent helicopter gunships and jet fighters to target suspected militant positions in several villages.
The army says the victims were militants and soldiers but local people report at least 10 civilians were among the dead.The army says the victims were militants and soldiers but local people report at least 10 civilians were among the dead.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Ashfaq Kiani has become the new vice-chief of the army.Meanwhile, Lt Gen Ashfaq Kiani has become the new vice-chief of the army.
The former head of Pakistani intelligence is expected to become overall head of the army shortly if President Pervez Musharraf resigns from this position as promised.The former head of Pakistani intelligence is expected to become overall head of the army shortly if President Pervez Musharraf resigns from this position as promised.
He would inherit an army under growing pressure from insurgents in the tribal areas near the Afghan border.He would inherit an army under growing pressure from insurgents in the tribal areas near the Afghan border.
Correspondents say that these military campaigns are deeply unpopular in Pakistan.Correspondents say that these military campaigns are deeply unpopular in Pakistan.
They are widely seen as carried out under American pressure since Washington wants Pakistan to crack down on pro-Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters near the Afghan border.They are widely seen as carried out under American pressure since Washington wants Pakistan to crack down on pro-Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters near the Afghan border.
Low moraleLow morale
However, it is believed the upper ranks of the army broadly accept this policy whatever their personal misgivings.However, it is believed the upper ranks of the army broadly accept this policy whatever their personal misgivings.
Lt Gen Kiani faces a huge challenge in WaziristanLt Gen Kiani faces a huge challenge in Waziristan
Analysts say the danger is in the lower ranks where morale seems to be low.Analysts say the danger is in the lower ranks where morale seems to be low.
Another batch of more than 200 soldiers were captured recently by militants, and appear to have surrendered without a fight.Another batch of more than 200 soldiers were captured recently by militants, and appear to have surrendered without a fight.
Correspondents say that Lt Gen Kiani will need all his skills to tackle the growing insurgency in the tribal areas.Correspondents say that Lt Gen Kiani will need all his skills to tackle the growing insurgency in the tribal areas.
Pro-Taleban militants have stepped up attacks on the army after a ceasefire collapsed in mid-July.Pro-Taleban militants have stepped up attacks on the army after a ceasefire collapsed in mid-July.