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Militants attack Pakistani fort | Militants attack Pakistani fort |
(20 minutes later) | |
Militants have attacked a Pakistani security force fort in the troubled South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, killing five soldiers. | Militants have attacked a Pakistani security force fort in the troubled South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, killing five soldiers. |
Militants attacked the Ladha fort and an observation post at 0100 (2000GMT Monday), military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said. | Militants attacked the Ladha fort and an observation post at 0100 (2000GMT Monday), military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said. |
At least seven soldiers have been wounded, he said. | At least seven soldiers have been wounded, he said. |
Last Thursday, hundreds of pro-Taleban militants overran the Sararogha fort in the same district. | Last Thursday, hundreds of pro-Taleban militants overran the Sararogha fort in the same district. |
A day later, Pakistani troops abandoned a fort at Sipla Toi military post (a remote tribal area in South Waziristan) fearing an attack by the militants. | A day later, Pakistani troops abandoned a fort at Sipla Toi military post (a remote tribal area in South Waziristan) fearing an attack by the militants. |
Stronghold | |
"Security forces retaliated with fire causing heavy casualties ... the attack was beaten back," Maj-Gen Abbas told Pakistan's ARY news channel. | "Security forces retaliated with fire causing heavy casualties ... the attack was beaten back," Maj-Gen Abbas told Pakistan's ARY news channel. |
The fighting went on for two hours, he said. | The fighting went on for two hours, he said. |
Maj-Gen Abbas said he did not have the exact number of militants killed in the clash. | |
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. |
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Karachi says the situation in the area has worsened since the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto last month. | |
The administration has blamed Ms Bhutto's killing on pro-Taleban militant Baitullah Mehsud, who is based in South Waziristan. |