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Pakistan clashes 'kill militants' Pakistan clashes 'kill militants'
(about 7 hours later)
At least 20 suspected militants have been killed in clashes across north-west Pakistan, officials say.At least 20 suspected militants have been killed in clashes across north-west Pakistan, officials say.
The army said 15 militants were killed during clashes with troops in the Swat valley, taking the death toll there over the past few days to at least 45.The army said 15 militants were killed during clashes with troops in the Swat valley, taking the death toll there over the past few days to at least 45.
In the Khyber Agency, bordering Afghanistan, five people died when security forces attacked militant bases, the Frontier Corps said.In the Khyber Agency, bordering Afghanistan, five people died when security forces attacked militant bases, the Frontier Corps said.
There is no independent verification of the army's claims.There is no independent verification of the army's claims.
Journalists have little access to the remote and hostile areas where the clashes are said to have taken place.Journalists have little access to the remote and hostile areas where the clashes are said to have taken place.
"It was very precise and we managed to kill 15 militants," Lieutenant Col Akhtar Abbas told the Reuters news agency of the army's operation in Swat."It was very precise and we managed to kill 15 militants," Lieutenant Col Akhtar Abbas told the Reuters news agency of the army's operation in Swat.
Lieutenant Col Abbas told the BBC that a number of Tliban fighters had been captured during the clash and that security forces also captured a cache of arms from their hideout.
See a map of the region See a map of the region
On Monday the corpses of 30 suspected militants were found in Swat with gunshot wounds.On Monday the corpses of 30 suspected militants were found in Swat with gunshot wounds.
The army has denied accusations that troops have been carrying out extra-judicial killings in the region. It told the BBC the men were killed in an army operation.The army has denied accusations that troops have been carrying out extra-judicial killings in the region. It told the BBC the men were killed in an army operation.
More than 150 dead bodies have been found in the region over the past month.More than 150 dead bodies have been found in the region over the past month.
The military recently declared Mingora, Swat's main town, and other parts of the region largely free from Taliban militants after a sustained offensive against insurgents which began in April.The military recently declared Mingora, Swat's main town, and other parts of the region largely free from Taliban militants after a sustained offensive against insurgents which began in April.
But on Sunday a suspected suicide bomber killed at least 14 police recruits at a training academy in Mingora.But on Sunday a suspected suicide bomber killed at least 14 police recruits at a training academy in Mingora.
Khyber clashesKhyber clashes
Elsewhere, in the volatile Khyber Agency, the Frontier Corps said five militants had been killed when security forces attacked and destroyed three militant bases.Elsewhere, in the volatile Khyber Agency, the Frontier Corps said five militants had been killed when security forces attacked and destroyed three militant bases.
The army is conducting an operation in the Bara sub-district of Khyber.The army is conducting an operation in the Bara sub-district of Khyber.
The entire area is under curfew and access to the media is restricted there.The entire area is under curfew and access to the media is restricted there.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the operation is being conducted aganst the Lashkar-e-Islam group which has been the subject of several offensives over the past year. The operation is being conducted aganst the Lashkar-e-Islam group which has been the subject of several offensives over the past year.
But, our correspondent says, the militants' grip over the area has not yet been broken. But, correspondents say, the militants' grip over the area has not yet been broken.
Last week, 22 border guards were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a checkpoint in the Khyber Pass, on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.Last week, 22 border guards were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a checkpoint in the Khyber Pass, on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.
The blast completely destroyed a tribal police checkpoint at the Torkham border crossing linking Pakistan's North West Frontier Province to Afghanistan.The blast completely destroyed a tribal police checkpoint at the Torkham border crossing linking Pakistan's North West Frontier Province to Afghanistan.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that the recent surge in violence appears to be an attempt by the Taliban to demonstrate their capability to strike in the aftermath of the death of their chief, Baitullah Mehsud.
Analysts expected the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan to launch more spectacular attacks to make up for their failure to cause major disruptions in Afghanistan's elections last month.
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