| At least seven Pakistani troops and 30 militants have been killed in two days of clashes in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal area bordering Afghanistan, the army said Friday. Helicopter gunships pounded militant positions Friday as fierce gunbattles resumed between Taliban rebels and troops in the semi-autonomous tribal district. "Seven Pakistani troops have been martyred and 30 militants have been killed in clashes at Loisam and its surrounding areas since Thursday," chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told AFP. "Security forces and militants exchanged fire throughout the day Friday as the operation continued against militants in Bajaur region," he added. Officials said on Thursday that 25 militants and 10 paramilitary troops had been killed. The clashes began on Wednesday when hundreds of militants attacked a security checkpost in Loisam which paramilitary troops had recently reoccupied after a period of several months. Loisam lies on the strategically important road leading towards Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province. |