8 Killed in Shootout in Pakistan Region

05/16/2006

MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) - Suspected Islamic militants ambushed a convoy of security forces in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, setting off a shootout that left at least seven militants and one security official dead, officials said.

The gunbattle happened near Miran Shah, the main town in North Waziristan tribal region, on a road heading to the town of Razmak, a local security official said.

A local intelligence official said the security forces responded after coming under fire. “I confirm that we have collected seven bodies of the militants,” he said.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to address the media. They said the military, backed by helicopters, was still searching the area.

The army spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

The attack came hours after gunmen shot to death two tribal policemen in a bazaar in Miran Shah. Local officials blamed pro-Taliban militants who have stepped up attacks on security forces in this volatile region.

A tribal elder, Haq Nawaz, said the attackers fled toward nearby mountains. They remain at large.

Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its war on terror, has deployed about 80,000 troops to tribal regions bordering Afghanistan in an effort to flush out remnants of al-Qaida, Taliban and their local supporters.

Since January, gunbattles between rebels and security forces, rocket attacks and roadside bombings have left 51 soldiers, six policemen and 324 militants dead, according to an Associated Press tally based on reports from the regions.