Major General Waheed Arshad, “Around 40 miscreants started firing at security forces and took positions in nearby hills, and security forces retaliated. Helicopter support was called in, there was a heavy exchange of fire,” violence began when two vehicles with over 40 militants were challenged at a check post.

Pakistani troops, backed by helicopter gunships, killed 18 pro-Taleban militants in intense fighting in a troubled tribal zone bordering Afghanistan. The clash near the town of Miranshah in North Waziristan went on for six hours and those killed in the latest fighting could not be recovered as they were taken away by militants after the battle.

A ceasefire between government forces and militants in North and South Waziristan has broken down.

North Waziristan has seen an upsurge in violence. Region described is the one, where the United States alleges that Al Qaeda has created a safe haven to plan attacks against Western targets.

Radical wing of Taliban has abducted four soldiers in the rugged North Waziristan region.