Pakistan clashes kill 23 militants, 3 soldiers

At least 23 militants and three soldiers were killed Tuesday in clashes between security forces and militants in Pakistan's north-western tribal region, a security official said. The fighting occurred in the Dolani area of Orakzai, one of the seven tribal districts where government forces are fighting militants. A security official from the paramilitary Frontier Corps confirmed the fighting and said it started when militants ambushed security forces and continued for several hours. "The army killed 23 attackers but also lost three soldiers in the gun battle," he was quoted as saying by DPA. "Eighteen soldiers were also injured." He said the forces captured the area that was used to attack the troops.