Two soldiers, five militants killed

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed Sunday and about six were wounded in three attacks by Taliban in the volatile north-western region, while five militants died in retaliatory action, security officials said. An estimated 12 militants targeted a security check post in South Waziristan, one of seven tribal districts where al Qaeda and Taliban have hideouts, with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.
An intelligence official confirmed the deaths of one soldier and two militants, and said one soldier was wounded.
In the neighbouring North Waziristan district, militants raided a security check post in the Pasht Ziarat area, and the ensuing gun battle went on for more than an hour. Another intelligence official said one soldier was killed and six soldiers were wounded in this attack, while three Taliban died and seven or eight militants were wounded.