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'Militants die' in Pakistan clash | 'Militants die' in Pakistan clash |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Pakistani troops have killed four militants in the Bajaur tribal district near the Afghan border, the army says. | Pakistani troops have killed four militants in the Bajaur tribal district near the Afghan border, the army says. |
The clash started when militants attacked a security post in the Nawagai area, a military official told the BBC. | The clash started when militants attacked a security post in the Nawagai area, a military official told the BBC. |
This is the first clash in the area since 23 February when a senior Taleban leader announced a unilateral truce. | This is the first clash in the area since 23 February when a senior Taleban leader announced a unilateral truce. |
The announcement was made by Faqir Mohammad, thought to be the deputy of Baitullah Mehsud - Pakistan's main Taleban commander - in a radio speech. | The announcement was made by Faqir Mohammad, thought to be the deputy of Baitullah Mehsud - Pakistan's main Taleban commander - in a radio speech. |
There has been no reaction to the latest clash from the militants. | There has been no reaction to the latest clash from the militants. |
Search operation | Search operation |
Administration officials in Khar, the central town of Bajaur, say militants attacked the security forces on Sunday night. | Administration officials in Khar, the central town of Bajaur, say militants attacked the security forces on Sunday night. |
Since the attack, the artillery guns stationed in the Khar garrison have been pounding militants' positions in the Nawagai area. | |
Witnesses say that security forces have also launched a search operation in the area to flush out militants. | Witnesses say that security forces have also launched a search operation in the area to flush out militants. |
Meanwhile, clashes are also being reported in the neighbouring Mohmand region. | |
Officials say since the Bajaur ceasefire in late February, militants have intensified their activities in Mohmand. | |
On Sunday, militants in Mohmand's southern Ekkaghund area killed 14 members of a tribal police force called "khasadars". | On Sunday, militants in Mohmand's southern Ekkaghund area killed 14 members of a tribal police force called "khasadars". |
The khasadars, along with a local administration official, had gone missing during a clash with militants on Saturday night. | The khasadars, along with a local administration official, had gone missing during a clash with militants on Saturday night. |
Villagers found their bodies strewn around a hill and a nearby ravine on Sunday. | Villagers found their bodies strewn around a hill and a nearby ravine on Sunday. |
An administration official of Mohmand told the BBC Urdu service's Dilawar Khan that the clash started when the khasadars foiled an attempt by the militants to kidnap a local pro-government elder. | |
A spokesman of the Mohmand Taleban, Ikramullah, told the BBC: "We don't want to kill khasadars, but what can we do when they offer resistance to our people?" | |
He also admitted that the Taleban were holding a mid-level administration official, Arshad Ali. | He also admitted that the Taleban were holding a mid-level administration official, Arshad Ali. |
Officials and witnesses say the administration is in contact with some local elders who are negotiating Mr Ali's release. | Officials and witnesses say the administration is in contact with some local elders who are negotiating Mr Ali's release. |
The military began its operation in Bajaur last August and has used it as proof of its commitment to tackle the Taleban in the restive north-west. | The military began its operation in Bajaur last August and has used it as proof of its commitment to tackle the Taleban in the restive north-west. |
The Bajaur truce move came a week after a deal was signed between Pakistani officials and Taleban representatives to end an insurgency in the Swat region in return for the imposition of Sharia law. | The Bajaur truce move came a week after a deal was signed between Pakistani officials and Taleban representatives to end an insurgency in the Swat region in return for the imposition of Sharia law. |