Gun battle in Pakistan leaves 19 militants, 7 security personnel dead

Islamabad, June 8: At least 19 suspected militants and seven security personnel were killed in a clash between security forces and militants in Pakistan, media reported on Monday.

19 militants including five commanders, were killed during an exchange of fire with security personnel on Sunday near the North Waziristan-Afghan border, Dawn online reported citing a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Seven soldiers were killed when a militant exploded his suicide vest on the Laddha-Shawal axis on the boundary between North and South Waziristan.

"There was information about militants, and when they were being chased and cordoned, one of them exploded his suicide vest, killing seven of our men," a security official said.

Operations against militants in North Waziristan have been intensified after the government decided to implement the nation-wide National Action Plan combating terrorism in the country.

Military operation Zarb-i-Azb was launched by Pakistan government to target local and foreign militants specifically in North Waziristan after an attack on Karachi's Jinnah International Airport on June 8, 2014.

OneIndia News