Pakistan army blocks entry of Afghan militants

Gains control of areas near Pak-Afghan border after 3-day operation in Mohmand Agency.

The Pakistan Army barred the entry of militants from Afghanistan on Thursday as it gained control of areas near the Pak-Afghan border after the three-day operation in Mohmand Agency.

The clashes that took place during the operation between the security forces and the militants left around 40 militants dead, said sources.

Brigadier Aftab Ahmad told AFP by telephone that his forces had destroyed 17 militant hideouts in the Baizai region under his command in the lawless tribal area of Mohmand.

"Militants were regularly attacking our posts on the Afghanistan border at Shonkari and Mithai and also targeting goods vehicles going to Afghanistan," he said.

"An operation was launched three days ago with the support of army aviation aircraft, helicopters and fighter jets. We killed at least 40 militants," Ahmad said.

Maqsood Hussain, a government official in Baizai, confirmed the raids and casualties, but it was not immediately clear how the Pakistani officials reached the body count of 40.

Also, one soldier was killed and several others were injured in a land mine explosion near the Pak-Afghan border during the operation.