 Pakistani soldiers on Thursday traded fire with suspected al-Qaeda-linked militants in a restive tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said. The shootout took place in Asman Manza, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of South Waziristan's main town of Wana, a military official who requested anonymity said. South Waziristan, some 370 kilometers southwest of Islamabad, was the scene of several pitched battles between troops and militants last year. The latest exchange of fire continued for about 30 minutes late Thursday in mountainous snow-covered Asman Manza, the official said but gave no details of casualties. |