Pakistani Soldiers, Militants Clash In North Waziristan

Pakistani paramilitary troops guard a checkpost on the Pakistani-Afghan border in North Waziristan (file photo) (epa) March 4, 2006 -- Pakistani soldiers exchanged fire today with militants in the main town of the tribal region of North Waziristan.

The clashes in the town of Miran Shah caused hundreds of people to flee the area.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The clash follows a raid by Pakistani security forces on a militant hideout on March 1 in the village of Saidgai in the same area. The raid killed dozens of suspected insurgents.

Pakistani forces are battling Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants who move back and forth from Afghanistan into Pakistan's tribal border areas as well as their local supporters.

(AFP, AP)