Militants attack Pak security post, 17 killed in 4-hr battle

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Militants attack Pak security post, 17 killed in 4-hr battle

Reuters | May 19, 2011, 06.41am IST

PESHAWAR: More than 70 militants armed with rockets and mortars attacked a

security post on the outskirts of Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar on

Wednesday, the latest in an upsurge of violence since Osama bin Laden was killed

in the country this month.

Two members of the security forces and at least 15 insurgents were killed in a

fourhour gunbattle that erupted following two successive attacks on the security

post set up to defend Peshawar, the gateway to the troubled northwest region.

" They were well-armed . They had heavy weapons, rockets , mortars everything.

The fighting lasted for about four and a half hours, " Ejaz Khan, a city police

officer, said. The attack took place near Khyber, part of Pakistan's lawless

tribal belt on the Afghan border, which is regarded as a global hub of

militants, including al-Qaida and the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban movements.

Two members of the security forces were killed and five wounded, Khan said. At

least 15 insurgents were killed.

Security forces repulsed the first attack by the militants which was carried out

just before midnight, officials said.

" Then they carried out a big attack early in the morning. We also called in

reinforcements to counter the attack and we did it, " a Peshawar security

official said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility , but m ilitants

linked to Qaida and Taliban have stepped up attacks in Pakistan after the

killing of Osama.