PARACHINAR, Pakistan – A government official says a clash involving
militants, tribesmen and security forces in Pakistan's northwest has
killed 29 people, most of them suspected insurgents.
Amin
Khan says the fighting occurred Thursday along the border between
Pakistan's Kurram and Orakzai tribal regions. Both regions are near
Afghanistan and have been the focus of army operations against the
Taliban.
Khan says a group of militants fought
pro-government tribesmen in the Marandi area. Five militants and two
tribesmen died in the clash.
Security troops
then used artillery and airstrikes against several alleged militant
positions in the area, killing 22 suspected militants.
The figures are nearly impossible to verify independently because access to the area is restricted. AP
