The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Miranshah

Up to 30 Islamic militants were killed and nine Pakistani troops wounded after insurgents atacked a checkpost in a troubled tribal region bordering Afghanistan, the army said Thursday.

The fighting in North Waziristan, where US officials say the Al-Qaeda network and the Taliban have regrouped since 9/11, came a day after the military said it had killed another 40 rebels in a nearby area.

Pakistan has been rocked by violence since troops stormed the radical Red Mosque in Islamabad in July, with suicide atacks killing nearly 250 people since then and scores of militants dying in clashes with the military.

"Militants atacked the post in Nawaz Kot district overnight but troops fought off their assault," top military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told AFP.

"The security forces retaliated using gunship helicopters. Local sources are reporting 25 to 30 militants are killed but the toll could go higher," he said. He said nine paramilitary soldiers were wounded but did not confirm local reports that 10 soldiers also died.