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Militants 'abandon' Pakistan fort Militants 'abandon' Pakistan fort
(about 3 hours later)
Pro-Taleban militants who overran a paramilitary fort in north-west Pakistan have abandoned the position, a Pakistani army spokesman has said.Pro-Taleban militants who overran a paramilitary fort in north-west Pakistan have abandoned the position, a Pakistani army spokesman has said.
The army said seven soldiers were killed in the attack in South Waziristan and 15 men are missing.The army said seven soldiers were killed in the attack in South Waziristan and 15 men are missing.
A Taleban spokesman in the region told the BBC Urdu service that 16 troops had been killed and another 12 captured during the fighting.A Taleban spokesman in the region told the BBC Urdu service that 16 troops had been killed and another 12 captured during the fighting.
South Waziristan is a known stronghold of pro-Taleban and al-Qaeda militants.South Waziristan is a known stronghold of pro-Taleban and al-Qaeda militants.
The region has been at the centre of fighting between the army and militants in recent months.The region has been at the centre of fighting between the army and militants in recent months.
'Open challenge''Open challenge'
The army said about 200 militants had charged the fort in the Sararogha area from four sides on Tuesday night.The army said about 200 militants had charged the fort in the Sararogha area from four sides on Tuesday night.
Army's tribal quagmireBaitullah Mehsud profileArmy's tribal quagmireBaitullah Mehsud profile
Local officials and other reports suggested the number of militants may have been nearer to 1,000.Local officials and other reports suggested the number of militants may have been nearer to 1,000.
Observers say this is the first time that militants have captured a fort in Pakistan.Observers say this is the first time that militants have captured a fort in Pakistan.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan says that if the militants had stayed in the fort, they would have made themselves the target of the military's artillery or helicopter gunships.
The army says that up to 40 attackers were killed in the fighting, something the tribal fighters deny.The army says that up to 40 attackers were killed in the fighting, something the tribal fighters deny.
Taleban spokesman in South Waziristan Maulvi Umar told the BBC Urdu service that just two fighters had been killed.Taleban spokesman in South Waziristan Maulvi Umar told the BBC Urdu service that just two fighters had been killed.
There is no independent confirmation of these figures.There is no independent confirmation of these figures.
Officials said troops at the fort came under rocket and automatic weapons attack from militants. Soldiers returned fire and the battle went on until early on Wednesday morning.Officials said troops at the fort came under rocket and automatic weapons attack from militants. Soldiers returned fire and the battle went on until early on Wednesday morning.
People in the Sararogha area told the BBC Urdu service that the militants entered the remote military outpost and started shifting weapons and troops they had captured out of the fort.People in the Sararogha area told the BBC Urdu service that the militants entered the remote military outpost and started shifting weapons and troops they had captured out of the fort.
Correspondents say the militants are now openly challenging the army in the area bordering Afghanistan.Correspondents say the militants are now openly challenging the army in the area bordering Afghanistan.
They are eroding confidence in the government's ability to ensure stability for elections due next month that are meant to complete a transition to civilian rule.They are eroding confidence in the government's ability to ensure stability for elections due next month that are meant to complete a transition to civilian rule.