Tens Killed in Pakistan Attacks

Pakistani troops continued battling pro-Taliban militants in the clashes in which more than 50 people have been killed. The violence began on Saturday, when a military post in Mir Ali was attacked by 100 militants. The rebels were fought back by security forces, which killed about 20 militants.

The attacks spread to the main headquarters of paramilitary troops in Miran Shah, also assaulted by militants. In Mirali, 12 miles east of Miram Shah, insurgents attacked a military convoy, killing a soldier and injuring other 10. Troops were called in Cobra helicopters and artillery was used to repel the attackers.

Major General Shaukat Sultan stated: "Now the writ of the local administration is restored and the said area is under complete command of the security forces. We cannot rule out the killing of civilian people because militants have their hideouts in populated areas our operation is very targeted and precise, using radars and latest weapons and equipments."

Noor Nawaz, 25, said the violence caused his family and many other like him sleepless nights. "People are extremely scared. Nobody has slept. Children were crying," he added.

A man claiming to be a spokesman for the insurgents called The Associated Press saying that fighters killed 55 soldiers and took 14 hostages; he warned that fights will continue in the area if troops do not withdraw.

These attacks come during the time in which U.S.'s president, Gorge Bush, visits Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, for a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf in order to discuss their cooperation in fighting terrorism, especially the Al-Qaeda organization.