Pakistan violence leaves at least 13 dead

Nov 16, 2008, 15:26 GMT

Islamabad - At least 13 people, including four civilians and seven Islamic militants, were killed Sunday, in clashes, shelling by helicopter gunships and artillery fire in Pakistan's restive tribal region along the Afghan border, officials said.

Army helicopters targeted a convoy of militants in Tanai area of Bajaur tribal district, where the government forces are fighting Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters launching cross border attacks on US-led international forces in Afghanistan's Kunar province.

'According to the preliminary information gathered through local sources, five 'miscreants' are killed and several more injured,' Muhammad Jamil, a local government official in the semi-autonomous region, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

He said two Taliban warriors also died in clashes with the lashkar, a traditional army raised by the local population to eliminate militants' hideouts from Bajaur.

'Two tribesmen also died in the gunbattle between the sides which exchanged fire for hours,' Jamil added.

Separately, four civilians were killed in the neighbouring Mohmand tribal district, where the government is planning to launch a major offensive against Taliban.

'A stray mortar shell fired by our troops hit a house in Doizai area unfortunately. Three people were killed and two injured in the incident. It was just an accident that was bound to happen because Taliban are hiding in civilian areas,' a security official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one person was killed and several injured in similar incidents in Atmanzai and Machani areas of the district.