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Pakistani border death toll rises Pakistani border death toll rises
(20 minutes later)
At least 45 Pakistani soldiers and 150 pro-Taleban militants have died in three days of fierce fighting in North Waziristan, the Pakistani army says.At least 45 Pakistani soldiers and 150 pro-Taleban militants have died in three days of fierce fighting in North Waziristan, the Pakistani army says.
It is the heaviest fighting in the Waziristan region, which borders Afghanistan, for many months.It is the heaviest fighting in the Waziristan region, which borders Afghanistan, for many months.
US and Nato forces in Afghanistan have repeatedly said that Pakistan is not doing enough to stop militants crossing the border to attack their troops.US and Nato forces in Afghanistan have repeatedly said that Pakistan is not doing enough to stop militants crossing the border to attack their troops.
The militants have vowed to overthrow President Musharraf.The militants have vowed to overthrow President Musharraf.
The three days of fighting is centred around the town of Mir Ali.The three days of fighting is centred around the town of Mir Ali.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that Mir Ali is known as a base for foreign militants with links to the Taleban and al-Qaeda.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that Mir Ali is known as a base for foreign militants with links to the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
The violence has been escalating since mid-July when a ceasefire between the army and the militants broke down.The violence has been escalating since mid-July when a ceasefire between the army and the militants broke down.
Foreign journalists are not able to enter the tribal areas so it is impossible to independently verify the casualty figures.
'Punitive action''Punitive action'
On Monday the army said that 50 of its soldiers had gone missing. Now it says 25 of the missing are dead - some troops have been found alive, but up to 15 soldiers are still unaccounted for.On Monday the army said that 50 of its soldiers had gone missing. Now it says 25 of the missing are dead - some troops have been found alive, but up to 15 soldiers are still unaccounted for.
The army says it has rejected a ceasefire proposed by the militants and will "continue punitive action till complete peace is restored", the Associated Press news agency reports.The army says it has rejected a ceasefire proposed by the militants and will "continue punitive action till complete peace is restored", the Associated Press news agency reports.
Our correspondent says that, by all accounts, the fighting in North Waziristan has been extraordinarily fierce.Our correspondent says that, by all accounts, the fighting in North Waziristan has been extraordinarily fierce.
The army has been bombing suspected militant positions in villages using helicopter gun ships and jet fighters.The army has been bombing suspected militant positions in villages using helicopter gun ships and jet fighters.
Locals report civilians among the dead, including women and children.Locals report civilians among the dead, including women and children.
The battles are said to have begun when militants ambushed a number of army convoys on Saturday.The battles are said to have begun when militants ambushed a number of army convoys on Saturday.
All changedAll changed
Traditionally the security forces kept out of the tribal border areas.Traditionally the security forces kept out of the tribal border areas.
That all changed in 2001 after Gen Musharraf allied Pakistan to the US-led 'war on terror' and vowed to crack down on militants based in the tribal regions.That all changed in 2001 after Gen Musharraf allied Pakistan to the US-led 'war on terror' and vowed to crack down on militants based in the tribal regions.
The militants want to overthrow Gen MusharrafThe militants want to overthrow Gen Musharraf
For much of that time there has been a heavy military presence in Waziristan.For much of that time there has been a heavy military presence in Waziristan.
But militants have still managed to increase their influence and control in many areas.But militants have still managed to increase their influence and control in many areas.
Hundreds of soldiers have been killed. But critics say that the military has not done enough to crack down on the militants.Hundreds of soldiers have been killed. But critics say that the military has not done enough to crack down on the militants.
Moreover, elements in the army and the intelligence services have been accused of helping them.Moreover, elements in the army and the intelligence services have been accused of helping them.
The military campaigns are deeply unpopular in Pakistan as they are widely seen as being carried out under American pressure.The military campaigns are deeply unpopular in Pakistan as they are widely seen as being carried out under American pressure.
However, our correspondent says it is believed the upper ranks of the army broadly accept this policy whatever their personal misgivings.However, our correspondent says it is believed the upper ranks of the army broadly accept this policy whatever their personal misgivings.
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.
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.
So far, a number of the soldiers have been freed, while several others have been killed.So far, a number of the soldiers have been freed, while several others have been killed.