| Three people were killed and four wounded in a shootout between troops and al Qaeda-linked militants in Pakistan's tribal west near the Afghan border, officials and residents said on Saturday. The shootout began late on Friday after militants attacked a paramilitary fort with rockets and mortars in Khaisor, a village about 25 km (16 miles) northeast of Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal region. Military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan said security forces returned the fire but would not confirm any casualties. Residents said three civilians were killed and four were wounded in the cross-fire. Intelligence officials said the casualties were caused by the militants' fire. On Tuesday, two children died of wounds suffered in an attack by the militants in Shakai in the same region. |