Government troops battle militants
Pakistani troops battled Islamic militants in the Swat valley near the Afghan border, killing 25 insurgents and losing five soldiers.
Under U.S. pressure to crack down on militant sanctuaries along the border, Pakistan’s 4-month-old government has sought to reach peace deals with fundamentalist Islamic groups in the northwestern tribal areas, but increasing violence is raising doubts about that approach.
The latest fighting was at a security post about 10 miles from Mingora, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said.
It was not possible to independently confirm the casualty toll.
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