Pak troops kill 6 Taliban near Afghan border

At least six Taliban insurgents were killed as Pakistani troops pounded suspected militant hideouts in the troubled tribal district of Bajaur on the Afghan border, officials said yesterday.
The artillery went into action late Saturday night targeting militants in Rashakai and Tang Khata towns in Bajaur, a hub of Taliban and al-Qaeda linked militants, a security official said.
"The exchange of fire continued until dawn and we have reports that six militants were killed," the official said, requesting anonymity.
The two places, close to the troubled Afghan province of Khost, were considered militant strongholds in Bajaur where Pakistani forces launched a major offensive in August.