Clashes in Pakistan kill 40 militants, four soldiers

Forty militants and four soldiers were killed in fresh clashes in Pakistan's tribal region near the Afghan border, government officials said yesterday.
Asmatullah Kkhan, an official at the local administration, said dozens of militants attacked a security check post in the Shirin Darra area of Orakzai tribal district early Monday with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.
Troops repulsed the attack after around two hours of shooting, and jet fighters pounded militant positions around Shirin Dara and in two other villages later on.
'According to the information we are receiving from the area, around 35 miscreants are killed while four soldiers died and seven more were injured,' said Khan, adding that the sides were still exchanging sporadic fire in the area.