<p>Heavily-armed Taliban militants attacked a check post in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt killing at least nine soldiers and losing 10 of their own men, security officials said today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Fighting erupted in South Waziristan tribal region after militants attacked the check post at Farhang Baba area, the officials were quoted as saying by TV news channels.<br /><br />Nine soldiers were killed and several others injured in the attack. The security forces launched a counter-attack and killed 10 militants, a security official said.<br /><br />Eight more militants were injured in the clashes. The security forces launched a search operation in the region after repulsing the attack.<br /><br />Security forces had cleared most of South Waziristan of Taliban militants during a major ground and air offensive in the 2009. However, Taliban militants hiding in remote mountainous areas still launching attacks on troops.<br /><br />Earlier yesterday, three soldiers and 11 militants were killed in clashes in the Batwar area of Bajaur tribal, security officials said.<br /><br />The fighting occurred after the army launched an operation to push back Taliban militants who crossed over from Kunar province in Afghanistan on Friday and occupied Batwar village.<br /><br />Officials told the media that several soldiers were missing and that troops had arrested eight militants.<br /><br />The fighting in Batwar area has so far claimed 50 lives, including 31 militants, three soldiers and two members of a pro-government tribal militia. The reports could not be independently confirmed as journalists are barred from reporting from the tribal belt.</p>
<p>Heavily-armed Taliban militants attacked a check post in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt killing at least nine soldiers and losing 10 of their own men, security officials said today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Fighting erupted in South Waziristan tribal region after militants attacked the check post at Farhang Baba area, the officials were quoted as saying by TV news channels.<br /><br />Nine soldiers were killed and several others injured in the attack. The security forces launched a counter-attack and killed 10 militants, a security official said.<br /><br />Eight more militants were injured in the clashes. The security forces launched a search operation in the region after repulsing the attack.<br /><br />Security forces had cleared most of South Waziristan of Taliban militants during a major ground and air offensive in the 2009. However, Taliban militants hiding in remote mountainous areas still launching attacks on troops.<br /><br />Earlier yesterday, three soldiers and 11 militants were killed in clashes in the Batwar area of Bajaur tribal, security officials said.<br /><br />The fighting occurred after the army launched an operation to push back Taliban militants who crossed over from Kunar province in Afghanistan on Friday and occupied Batwar village.<br /><br />Officials told the media that several soldiers were missing and that troops had arrested eight militants.<br /><br />The fighting in Batwar area has so far claimed 50 lives, including 31 militants, three soldiers and two members of a pro-government tribal militia. The reports could not be independently confirmed as journalists are barred from reporting from the tribal belt.</p>