Pakistani forces killed up to 30 militants close to the Afghan border yesterday as the top US diplomat for the region visited for talks with government leaders, officials said.
US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher’s trip comes amid strains between Islamabad and Washington over suspected US missile attacks on militant targets in the country’s northwest bordering Afghanistan.
The US embassy gave no details on Boucher’s trip other than to say it had been planned for some time and that he was meeting a range of government officials.
Washington wants Islamabad to do more to fight al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in the northwest who are blamed for rising attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Pakistan insists it is taking the threat seriously, but US and regional officials suspect that elements within the government and security forces may be secretly aiding the militants, a charge denied by the government.
In the latest fighting close to the border, Pakistani fighter jets bombed insurgents, killing up to 20, army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said.
The bombs hit an ammunition dump, causing extensive damage, he said.
In nearby Bajur district, seven more insurgents were killed when jets bombed their positions, said Muhammad Jamil Khan, the No. 2 government official in the area.
Security official Fazl Rabi said three militants were killed in other parts of Bajur when they tried to attack security posts.
It was not immediately possible to independently confirm the casualties. Reporters cannot visit the area because of poor security and government restrictions, and no Taliban spokesman was available for comment.
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