Pak Troops kills 9 militants, suffers four martyrdoms

PESHAWAR (Web Desk) - Pakistani troops Saturday neutralized at least nine militants but also suffered four martyrdoms in a clash in the troubled tribal belt where military is pushing a major offensive against Taliban insurgents.

Pakistan's military said the incident took place in the Pre Ghar area at the border of South and North Waziristan tribal districts bordering on Afghanistan, Samaa reported.

"Nine terrorists were killed in an encounter with the troops, who were conducting a search operation in the area. Four soldiers also embraced Shahadat (martyrdom) in the exchange of fire," it said in a statement.

A security official in the area confirmed the incident and casualties.

The conflict zone is remote and off-limits to journalists making it difficult to verify the army's claims, including the number and identity of those killed.

Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade following the late 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.