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Pakistani security forces kill 16 Islamic militants

Other News Materials 22 August 2008 19:00 (UTC +04:00)

Pakistani security forces said on Friday they had killed 16 pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan's restive North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) that borders Afghanistan, officials said, dpa reported.

The fighting erupted when the government forces stopped a suspected vehicle carrying militants at Sour bridge checkpoint in Hangu district, some 90 kilometers south of NWFP capital Peshawar.

"One individual got down from the vehicle and started moving towards the checkpost," the army claimed in statement.

He was cautioned to stop and on refusal was fired upon and then exploded. It is believed he was rigged with explosives.

The remaining people sitting in the vehicle, meanwhile, opened fire on the troops. During the exchange of fire, the vehicle also exploded.

"It is believed that the explosion took place as another suicide bomber was sitting inside the vehicle," the statement said. One militant has been apprehended.

Initial investigations revealed that both the suicide bombers were of foreign origin.

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