Pakistani operation in Waziristan kills 20 militants, wounds 15

ISLAMABAD, Oct 7 (KUNA) — The military, in a retaliatory operation Sunday in North Waziristan tribal agency along the Afghan border, killed 20 militants and wounded over 15 others, while two soldiers were also killed and six wounded, said an official.
The operation, backed by gunship helicopters, was launched in an area near Mir Ali village and was launched after militants targeted a military convoy on Saturday with explosive devices at two or three locations, said military spokesman Waheed Arshad, while talking to KUNA.
He said the operation was ongoing, adding that about 20 militants had been killed and more than 15 were wounded. Two soldiers died in the operation and six others sustained injuries, he added.
Press reports said that in Saturday’s attacks on security checkposts and a military convoy, two soldiers and a local tribesman were killed and 20 security personnel were wounded.
The security situation in Pakistan’s largely lawless tribal region had worsened since the military conducted deadly raid on Lal (Red) Mosque in Islamabad a few months back. According to official figures, about 103 people were killed and most of them hailed from the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).