Pakistan: Troops kill 27 militants in northwest

[October 03, 2009]  PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan's paramilitary forces say they have killed 27 militants, including two important commanders, in an ongoing operation in the northwestern Khyber tribal region.

A statement from the Frontier Corps said the troops also destroyed two militant hideouts in Friday's operations. An explosives-laden vehicle and 18 other vehicles also were destroyed.

It was not possible to independently confirm the statements. Access to Khyber is restricted.

Under pressure from the U.S., Pakistan launched the operation weeks ago after insurgents stepped up attacks on trucks carrying supplies to American and NATO forces fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

[Associated Press]

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