| The military killed at least 16 Al Qaeda linked fighters in fierce gunbattles in Bajaur Agency, officials said on Saturday. Helicopter gunships and artillery were used in the fresh clashes that erupted late on Friday. Five fighters were killed in a gunbattle early on Saturday near Shakai village, a security official told AFP. The other deaths occurred overnight in nearby villages, he said. The casualty figure could not be independently verified. Residents said that reinforcements, including a large number of fresh troops and tanks had arrived in Bajaur. |