Taliban ambush kills 7 Pak soldiers

Seven Pakistani paramilitary troopers were killed on Friday when Taliban militants ambushed a vehicle of security forces in the volatile North Waziristan tribal region, officials said.

The attack occurred at Khar Kamar, 30 km from Miranshah, the main town of the semi-autonomous tribal district that US and Afghan officials describe as a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda elements.

The militants fired at the vehicle with automatic weapons and rockets, killing seven personnel of the Frontier Corps instantly, security officials told the media.

Reports said nine militants were killed in retaliatory action by the security forces but this could not be independently confirmed.

Additional troops backed by helicopters launched an operation in the area after the ambush, officials said.

Pakistan has persistently rejected pressure from the US to launch an offensive against the Taliban in North Waziristan Agency.

The region is the stronghold of the Haqqani network, which is considered to be close to the Pakistan security establishment.

The Haqqani network uses its bases in North Waziristan to mount attacks on US and allied forces across the border in Afghanistan.