The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Khar

Taliban militants attacked two Pakistani security posts in a tribal area bordering Afghanistan on Monday, sparking fierce clashes in which 20 rebels were killed, officials said.

The hardline fighters attacked a paramilitary fortress and stormed a checkpost in the semi-autonomous Bajaur tribal zone, a known haunt of Al-Qaeda and Taliban rebels, they said.

The fresh attacks come after a week of some of the most intense clashes seen in Bajaur since Pakistani forces entered the tribal belt in 2001 to hunt down Islamic militants.

"The Taliban launched a big attack on Tor Ghundi fort and Iskandro post. Security forces responded and 20 militants were killed," a paramilitary official told AFP.

There was no immediate information about casualties to security forces.

Residents said the fighting erupted at 1:00 am on Monday and bodies were scattered across farm land some 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of Khar, the main town in Bajaur.