The Pakistani military was engaged in fierce battles in the Taliban strongholds in South Waziristan to consolidate positions around the rebel base of Sararogha as 30 militants and two soldiers were killed in clashes in the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.
Twenty militants were killed and eight soldiers, including an officer, injured in fighting in different parts of South Waziristan over the past 24 hours, the military said.
Ten rebels and two soldiers were killed in fighting in Mohmand tribal region, officials said.
Security forces strengthened their positions around the Taliban stronghold of Sararogha and nearby villages.
Three militants were killed in a skirmish in this area.
Troops in the militant stronghold of Makeen and nearby areas were targeted with small arms and rockets during search and clearance operations.
Five militants were killed in retaliatory action.
The heaviest fighting was reported from around the former Taliban stronghold of Kaniguram, where 12 militants were killed and eight soldiers, including an officer, injured during a gun battle.
The military said troops were conducting search operations in this area and had seized a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives, including RPG-7 rockets, IEDs and 15 sacks of potassium chloride.
{{/usCountry}}The military said troops were conducting search operations in this area and had seized a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives, including RPG-7 rockets, IEDs and 15 sacks of potassium chloride.
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