4 security men, 43 Taliban militants killed in clashes in Pakistan

Four paramilitary troopers and 43 Taliban fighters were killed in clashes after militants carried out an attack to the stop the movement of security forces in the restive Orakzai tribal region of northwest Pakistan today.

Militants attacked the security forces with automatic weapons and mortars in Sawar Kot area of Orakzai Agency. Four paramilitary personnel and 43 militants were killed in a subsequent gun battle.

A dozen security personnel were injured in the clash, officials said.

Troops have launched an operation code-named "Khwakh Ba De Shum" (I will see you) in Orakzai Agency to flush Taliban fighters out of the region.

Yesterday, three security personnel and 10 Taliban fighters were killed in a clash that erupted after militants ambushed a security forces vehicle at Kasha village in Orakzai Agency.

The Pakistan army had claimed at the beginning of this month that operations against the Taliban in Orakzai Agency had been successfully completed.

However, violence has continued in the semi-autonomous tribal region with militants still targeting security forces.