Official: Army commandos kill 18 suspected insurgents in Pakistani tribal region

Official: Pakistani troops kill 18 militants in NW

KHAR, Pakistan — An official says Pakistani army commandos backed by artillery and mortar fire killed 18 militants in a tribal region where the military has twice declared victory over Taliban insurgents.

The clash occurred Monday in Bajur, where Pakistan’s army began an offensive in 2008.

Although on two occasions the military has said the Afghan border area is cleared, sporadic violence still occurs.

Local administrator Iqbal Khattak said troops surrounded militant hide-outs in Ghundo village near Khar, Bajur’s main town. The commandoes staged the deadly raid after using mortars and heavy artillery to hit the sites.

The information could not be independently verfied because of limited access to the battle zone.