Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Four Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Gunfight with Militants

by Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD --

   Officials in Pakistan say a gunfight with militants in a northwestern
   district near the Afghan border Wednesday left four soldiers dead,
   including a high ranking officer.

   "The early morning clash occurred when security forces raided a
   terrorist hideout in the Sherotkai area of the Upper Dir district and
   militants, including two suicide bombers, entrenched there retaliated
   with heavy gunfire," the army's media wing said in a statement.

   'Terrorist' captured

   One bomber blew himself up while the other was killed during the
   firefight and a third "terrorist" was captured, it said.

   "An officer and three soldiers sacrificed their lives while foiling a
   devastating terrorist activity," the statement added.

   A spokesman for the anti-state Pakistani Taliban claimed its fighters
   engaged the raiding troops and killed them.

   "These cowardly attacks on our law enforcing agencies can never flinch
   our resolve to back-off or slow down in our resolve to continue with
   anti-terror operations," Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said in a
   separate statement.

   Spy officer killed by IS

   Islamic State has also taken credit for some of the recent attacks on
   Pakistani security forces.

   The Middle East-based terrorist group through its Amaq global media
   outlet claimed responsibly for Tuesday's assassination in Multan of an
   officer of the country's main spy agency, ISI.

   Earlier this week, an ISI officer's bullet-riddled body was found on a
   busy road in the southern Pakistani city days after he was kidnapped.
   IS claimed it was behind the killing.