25 Pak securitymen killed in Taliban attack

Islamabad, Jun 2 (PTI) At least 25 security personnel
were killed in fierce skirmishes that erupted after hundreds
of Taliban fighters from Afghanistan crossed into northwest
Pakistan and attacked a remote security check post, officials
said on Thursday.
The heavily armed militants attacked the check post at
Shalotal in Upper Dir district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province
early on Wednesday and gun battles between the militants and
troops continued for over 24 hours.
Officials said 25 security personnel had died so far and
efforts were underway to evacuate the bodies.
The check post attacked by the militants is located close
to the border with Kunar province of Afghanistan.
The local administration rushed additional policemen and
Frontier Constabulary troops to the area to flush out the
militants. Helicopter gunships too were used in the operation.
The army had conducted a major operation against the
Taliban in Dir and nearby areas two years ago.
At least 13 Pakistani security personnel were killed in a
similar cross-border raid by Taliban in the Lower Dir region
two months ago.