Pakistani troops backed by artillery and aircraft attacked two suspected terrorist hide-outs near the rugged Afghan border on Saturday, security officials said. The attack was launched near Shakai in the South Waziristan tribal region, scene of several military counter terrorism operations against al-Qaida fugitives and renegade tribesmen in the recent months. Pakistan army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said that Pakistani troops on Saturday exchanged fire with "foreign miscreants" who had suffered casualties, but he had no details. He denied a major new military operation was underway.
