PAKISTANI HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS AND GROUND TROOPS ATTACKED HIDE-OUTS OF ARMED TRIBESMEN IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PROVINCE OF BALUCHISTAN, KILLING 23 FIGHTERS AND WOUNDING 15 OTHERS, AN OFFICIAL SAID SUNDAY. THE SECURITY FORCES DESTROYED SEVEN REBEL HIDE-OUTS IN OPERATIONS THAT BEGAN LATE SATURDAY AND CONTINUED UNTIL EARLY SUNDAY NEAR DERA BUGTI, A TRIBAL TOWN ABOUT 340 KILOMETERS (210 MILES) SOUTHEAST OF BALUCHISTAN'S CAPITAL, QUETTA, SAID PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ABDUR RAZIQ BUGTI. NO CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED AMONG THE PARAMILITARY TROOPS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTED.
