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Six militants, two soldiers killed in NW Pakistan gunfight: military
MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, June 23, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Six militants and two
soldiers were killed on Saturday during a fierce gunfight in a northwestern
Pakistani tribal district bordering Afghanistan, military and local security
officials said.
The clash took place in South Waziristan’s Spina Mela village after
security forces were tipped off about the presence of militants who had
entered the area pretending to be returning displaced locals, a military
statement said.
Six militants and two soldiers were killed in the fighting, including a
most wanted militant called Nanakar, the statement added.
Nanakar, who goes by one name, was wanted for several murders of local
elders and tribesmen.
The troops also seized weapons, ammunition and devices through which
militants were in communication with handlers across the border in
Afghanistan, the military said.
Two local security officials in Miranshah, the main town of neighbouring
North Waziristan, confirmed the clash and casualties to AFP.
The US has repeatedly accused Pakistan of allowing the tribal areas to
harbour militants fighting in Afghanistan — an allegation Islamabad has
consistently denied.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1540 hrs