Defending borders: 12 militants killed in Lower Dir clashes

TIMERGARA: At least two security personnel were injured and a dozen militants gunned down in clashes that erupted near Pakistan-Afghan border in Lower Dir district during the late hours of Sunday.

Pakistani forces were patrolling the border area when they were attacked by about 15 militants, an official of the security forces said. The security forces took their positions and fended off the ambush, reportedly killing a dozen militants. The action continued for more than 20 minutes, added the official.

He said that the security in the Pak-Afghan border region was beefed up following the Upper Dir attack which killed three army officials in addition to injuring two other army personnel in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2013.