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Pakistani Army Kills 23 Suspected of Being Militants Pakistani Army Kills 23 Suspected of Being Militants
(about 2 hours later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 23 people suspected of being militants were killed and 12 were wounded on Thursday when Pakistani Army troops carried out shelling and ground raids in Mir Ali, the second largest town of the restive northwestern tribal district of North Waziristan, according to government officials.ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 23 people suspected of being militants were killed and 12 were wounded on Thursday when Pakistani Army troops carried out shelling and ground raids in Mir Ali, the second largest town of the restive northwestern tribal district of North Waziristan, according to government officials.
The shelling and raids appeared to be in retaliation for a suicide bombing on Wednesday that killed at least five soldiers in North Waziristan.The shelling and raids appeared to be in retaliation for a suicide bombing on Wednesday that killed at least five soldiers in North Waziristan.
A Pakistani security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the battle Thursday lasted for several hours.A Pakistani security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the battle Thursday lasted for several hours.
Local tribesmen disputed the official account and said that most of the dead were civilians, including women and children. Local tribesmen disputed the official account and said that at least 25 civilians had been killed by the military, including women and children.
“People have starting migration to other places in North Waziristan,” said Jan Alam, a local elder. “Many shops in Mir Ali bazar have been burned and smoke is still coming out. Who will compensate for our losses?”
The suicide bombing on Wednesday was one of the worst attacks on the security forces in recent months. The bomber rammed his vehicle into a military checkpoint, killing at least five soldiers and wounding 22.The suicide bombing on Wednesday was one of the worst attacks on the security forces in recent months. The bomber rammed his vehicle into a military checkpoint, killing at least five soldiers and wounding 22.
Ansar-ul-Mujahedeen, a Taliban faction affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing.Ansar-ul-Mujahedeen, a Taliban faction affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing.
“We claim responsibility for the attack. It was carried out to avenge the martyrdom of our respected leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, in a U.S. drone strike,” Abu Baseer, a spokesman for Ansar-ul-Mujahedeen, said by telephone.“We claim responsibility for the attack. It was carried out to avenge the martyrdom of our respected leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, in a U.S. drone strike,” Abu Baseer, a spokesman for Ansar-ul-Mujahedeen, said by telephone.
Mr. Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, was killed in an American drone strike on Nov. 1.Mr. Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, was killed in an American drone strike on Nov. 1.
Pakistani government officials have claimed that Mr. Mehsud had agreed to talks with the government and that his death jeopardized a nascent peace process.Pakistani government officials have claimed that Mr. Mehsud had agreed to talks with the government and that his death jeopardized a nascent peace process.
North Waziristan is one of seven tribal districts of Pakistan’s semiautonomous tribal region, where there is a high concentration of Taliban and Al Qaeda-affiliated militants.North Waziristan is one of seven tribal districts of Pakistan’s semiautonomous tribal region, where there is a high concentration of Taliban and Al Qaeda-affiliated militants.

Salman Masood contributed reporting.

Salman Masood contributed reporting.