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Deadly militant attack on Pakistan security checkpoint Deadly militant attack on Pakistan security checkpoint
(40 minutes later)
More than 100 militants have stormed a security checkpoint in north-western Pakistan, killing at least eight soldiers. More than 100 militants have stormed a security checkpoint in north-western Pakistan, killing at least eight soldiers, officials say.
At least 12 insurgents were also killed in the overnight gun battle that lasted some hours, officials say. At least 12 insurgents were also reported killed in the overnight gun battle that lasted some hours.
The attack happened near the town of Makeen in the tribal district of South Waziristan, near the Afghan border.The attack happened near the town of Makeen in the tribal district of South Waziristan, near the Afghan border.
The area has seen a surge in missile strikes by US drone planes in recent days.The area has seen a surge in missile strikes by US drone planes in recent days.
Only a few days ago, a US drone strike in South Waziristan killed a top al-Qaeda operative, Ilyas Kashmiri. Only a few days ago, locals and officials said a US drone attack in South Waziristan had killed a top al-Qaeda militant, Ilyas Kashmiri.
Lately, tension has been increasing across the whole border region because of a growing sense that Pakistan is preparing to carry out at least a limited offensive in North Waziristan, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad reports. Tension has been increasing across the whole border region because of a growing sense that Pakistan is preparing to carry out at least a limited offensive in North Waziristan, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad reports.
'Most dangerous''Most dangerous'
Local officials said the militants - armed with rockets and heavy weapons - stormed on the checkpoint shortly after midnight. Local officials said the militants - armed with rockets and heavy weapons - stormed the checkpoint shortly after midnight.
Security forces responded and the firefight continued for at least three hours.Security forces responded and the firefight continued for at least three hours.
Some reports say the militants were from the Taliban.Some reports say the militants were from the Taliban.
Militants in Pakistan have vowed to avenge the killing of Ilyas Kashmiri, as well as the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, who was killed by US forces in a garrison city north of Islamabad on 2 May. Militants in Pakistan have vowed to avenge the reported killing of Ilyas Kashmiri, as well as the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, who was killed by US forces in the garrison town of Abbottabad, north of Islamabad, on 2 May.
Many militants are believed to be sheltering in the semi-autonomous tribal regions of North and South Waziristan. The area has been described by the US as the "most dangerous place on Earth".Many militants are believed to be sheltering in the semi-autonomous tribal regions of North and South Waziristan. The area has been described by the US as the "most dangerous place on Earth".
Washington is thought to have renewed calls for Pakistan to take action in those areas as it seeks to build on the momentum it believes has been created following the killing of Bin Laden, our correspondent says.Washington is thought to have renewed calls for Pakistan to take action in those areas as it seeks to build on the momentum it believes has been created following the killing of Bin Laden, our correspondent says.