The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Peshawar

Hundreds of foreign militants attacked Pakistani forces near the border with Afghanistan, sparking clashes that left six soldiers and 40 militants dead, according to the military.

The fierce fighting took place late Saturday in the lawless Mohmand tribal area in northwest Pakistan, a known Taliban and Al-Qaeda stronghold, the military said in a statement.

The attack was the biggest in recent months against Pakistan's security forces, who are battling to flush out militants in several areas of the country's restive northwest.

The rugged border area is a key battleground in the US-led "war on terror," with extremists operating on both sides and using "safe havens" in Pakistan from which they are said to launch attacks on foreign forces in Afghanistan.

Most of the insurgents came from the Afghan side of the border, and were joined by local Taliban fighters. The combined force of about 600 militants then attacked a paramilitary Frontier Corps base near the border.