18 militants, 8 soldiers killed in Waziristan

ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: As many as eight armed soldiers and 18 militants were killed during an encounter in tribal South Waziristan Agency after some militants attacked security check-post on Wednesday.

South Waziristan Agency was the home town of slain banned Tahreek i Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud who was killed during a US drone attack. The Pakistan Army had launched an operation in the area, successfully clearing the tribal area from the militants which served a breeding place for a large number of suicide bombers that wrecked havoc with Pakistani cities, shattering law and order, killing hundreds of people, security personnel and damaging building, national economy.

According to officials, a number of militants armed with rockets and hand grenades pounded military check post in Baba Ziarat village, at a short distance from Wana, headquarter of tribal agency, which was repulsed with prompt retaliation from the soldiers.

During fierce skirmish eight soldiers were reported to have died while the assailants suffered eighteen casualties. According to officials, the security forces have launched a search operation in the entire area.

The attack occurred at a time when there are strong indications that the Pakistan military is going to launch a full fledged offensive against the Pakistani Taliban in adjacent North Waziristan Agency.