Security forces kill 10 militants in Pak

At least 10 militants were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Dawn News channel reported.

In an ongoing operation in NWFP, which started on Wednesday, the security forces killed 10 militants. Five security personnel sustained injuries, said the report.

Security forces on Thursday hit militants' hideouts in Hangu district in the frontier province, clearing several Taliban strongholds.

Military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas was quoted by local newspaper Daily Times as saying that the Shamana Fort and Zarguri and Naryab areas in the north of Hangu district had been cleared.

Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud Thursday gave the NWFP government a five-day ultimatum to either resign "or else face dire consequences".

The United States has warned that it can conduct unilateral strikes inside Pakistan if the federal government fails to take measures to stop Taliban activities, the Aaj TV channel reported on Thursday.