Officials say 5 Pakistani soldiers, at least 21 militants die in clashes near Afghan border
By APFriday, March 26, 2010
5 Pakistani soldiers, 21 militants killed in NW
PARACHINAR, Pakistan — Authorities say clashes near the Afghan border have killed five Pakistani soldiers and at least 21 suspected militants.
Local government official Sami Ullah says six soldiers were also wounded Friday when militants attacked their post in Orakzai tribal region. He says security forces retaliated, killing 27 militants.
An army statement says 21 insurgents died, and the different tallies could not immediately be reconciled. It says the clashes occurred when security forces were trying to recapture a checkpoint taken earlier by militants.
The latest fighting came a day after officials said military airstrikes killed 61 insurgents in Orakzai, where the army is seeking to kill or capture Taliban insurgents fleeing an offensive farther south.
