At least 19 people, including 12 pro-Taliban militants and five soldiers, were killed Thursday in separate attacks on military convoys and roadside blasts, in Pakistan's restive tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, officials said according to dpa. Security forces, backed by gunship helicopters, exchanged fire with Islamic fighters after they attacked a convoy from their position in the mountains as it was travelling from Jandola to Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal district. "At least 12 insurgents were killed and 13 more injured in the firefight," military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said. Three soldiers also died in the clashes, while six were wounded.
