Taliban kill at least seven Pakistani soldiers in North Waziristan

Islamabad, Mar 10 (ANI): At least seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in the terrorist stronghold of North Waziristan when the Taliban ambushed a military convoy on Friday, officials have said.

The attack took place at Khar Qamar, 30 kilometres west of Miranshah, the main town in the district that has become the most notorious Taliban and al-Qaeda stronghold on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, the Daily Times reports.

Security officials said nine terrorists were also killed in the attack, but there was no independent confirmation of the toll.

"At least seven soldiers were martyred when terrorists fired machine guns and rockets on a military convoy," a senior security official said.

Other security officials in Peshawar confirmed the attack, saying that the toll had risen from four to seven.

"After the ambush, Pakistani military helicopters and troops retaliated and there were reports of deaths of nine militants," an intelligence official said.

Pakistan has for years battled terrorists in the tribal belt on the Afghan border. Over 3,000 soldiers have died, but Pakistan has resisted US pressure to carry out a sweeping offensive in North Waziristan. (ANI)