Over 120 dead in Pakistan battle, military says

ISLAMABAD, Mar 6 (Reuters) More than 120 Islamist militants have been killed in clashes with Pakistani security forces in a tribal region near the Afghan border over the past three days, the military said today.

At least 19 rebels were killed in exchange of fire with the security forces today, said military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan.

Two militants were killed yesterday night while the death toll in fighting on Saturday had risen to more than 100 from 46.

''We've got latest information that more than 100 militants were killed on Saturday,'' he said.

Five troops were killed and two wounded over the three days, he said.

REUTERS OM PC2010