By DPA
Islamabad : Several hundred Islamic insurgents encircled and seized a strategic Pakistani military base on the border with Afghanistan early Wednesday after a fierce battle with government troops, news reports said.
The heavily-armed force of pro-Taliban gunmen attacked the Sararogha Fort located in the South Waziristan tribal region and killed some 30 of its 40 defenders, Pakistan’s Dawn and Aaj television reported.
“Communication of the troops with their base camp was lost at around 02:00 this morning,” a local administrative official told the BBC’s Urdu Service.
Pakistani military officials confirmed that more than 400 militants attacked the fort but rejected reports of a crushing defeat. There was no official confirmation of any casualties.
“We control the fort and intense fighting is still going on,” a high-ranking army source said.
Militants under the command of pro-Taliban tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud were believed to be behind the raid in the border region where Al Qaeda cells are also thought to be active.