Militants kill nine Pak troops as intense clashes continue in FATA

LONDON - At least nine Pakistan army soldiers were butchered by militants as severe clashes between the troops and militants continued in the country’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas’ (FATA) volatile Orakzai Agency.

The BBC quoted some Pakistani military officials as confirming the death of the security personnel.

Military officials described the battle between the insurgents and the army as “fierce” and said that two officers were among the dead.

The officials, however, added that 30 militants were also killed in intense clashes across the region.

The death toll was hard to be verified independently as the media is barred from visiting the war-zone.

Earlier, media reports said that over 43 extremists were killed in separate operations conducted by Pakistan security forces across the Federally Administered Tribal Areas over the last couple of days.

Ground troops assisted by fighter jets killed at least 33 militants in Orakzai Agency, officials said.

Pakistan Air Force jets pounded suspected Taliban hideouts in Kasha, Teerangra , Khawri and other regions killing over 10 militants.

Security forces also claimed to have killed two Taliban. (ANI)