Six militants killed in North Waziristan clashes

At least two army soldiers including a Lieutenant Colonel and six terrorists were killed today in clashes between militants and security forces in the restive northwestern Pakistan.

The latest incident comes a day after militants launched a cross-border rocket attack on a checkpost in Khyber tribal area, killing four Pakistani soldiers and wounding four others.

The final phase of the Zarb-i-Azb operation in North Waziristan got under way on Thursday as troops launched a ground offensive in Shawal Valley, one of the last strongholds of militants in the region.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces clashed with terrorists in Shawal and killed 6 terrorists in the encounter. An officer Lt. Col. Faisal Malik and a soldier also embraced “shahadat” (martyrdom) in exchange of fire, ‘ an army statement said. “We would be using ground forces as well as fighter jets and Pakistan Army Cobra gunship helicopters to flush the terrorists out of this valley”, said a senior military official who wished to remain anonymous.