Officials: Violence kills 12 in northwest Pakistan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani security forces shelled and launched airstrikes against Taliban in the country's northwest, killing four civilians and eight suspected militants, officials said Monday.
Scores of families fled the latest fighting, adding to an exodus of hundreds of thousands of residents from the volatile tribal belt along the border with Afghanistan over the past year.
Shelling occurred overnight in the vicinity of Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal region. A Taliban compound in the same area was targeted by a deadly suspected U.S. missile strike on Sunday.
South Waziristan is a key stronghold for al-Qaida and Taliban fighters, including Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud. It is a frequent target of American missile strikes, which have continued despite militants' threats of more suicide attacks unless they stop.
Militants attacked at least four military camps and checkpoints. "In the exchange of fire, three civilians were killed, and the clashes left three security troops wounded," said Shahab Ali Shah, South Waziristan's top administrative official.
He added some militants were also believed to have been wounded. The intelligence officials confirmed the three deaths and said at least 15 people in houses nearby were wounded by stray shells.
Also Monday, officials and a tribal elder said families have begun fleeing the Orakzai tribal region amid a military bombing campaign against militant hideouts.
Scores of families fled the latest fighting, adding to an exodus of hundreds of thousands of residents from the volatile tribal belt along the border with Afghanistan over the past year.
Shelling occurred overnight in the vicinity of Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal region. A Taliban compound in the same area was targeted by a deadly suspected U.S. missile strike on Sunday.
South Waziristan is a key stronghold for al-Qaida and Taliban fighters, including Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud. It is a frequent target of American missile strikes, which have continued despite militants' threats of more suicide attacks unless they stop.
Militants attacked at least four military camps and checkpoints. "In the exchange of fire, three civilians were killed, and the clashes left three security troops wounded," said Shahab Ali Shah, South Waziristan's top administrative official.
He added some militants were also believed to have been wounded. The intelligence officials confirmed the three deaths and said at least 15 people in houses nearby were wounded by stray shells.
Also Monday, officials and a tribal elder said families have begun fleeing the Orakzai tribal region amid a military bombing campaign against militant hideouts.
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