Ten Pakistani security persons died on Wednesday in a gun-battle with Al-Qaeda elements in Pakistani tribal area bordering Afghanistan, a press release from the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate said.
The incident took place when a search operation was carried out by the Pakistani Security Forces in the tribal area of Wana where a group of Al-Qaeda operatives were located in some houses closer to other civilian population,
In an effort to apprehend the Al-Qaeda elements using minimum force due to concern for safety of the civilian population, 10 security persons lost their lives, the press release said.
"The ongoing efforts to apprehend criminals and terrorists responsible for acts of violence is continuing with increased vigor," the press release said.
The gun-battle lasted for four hours. U.S planes were flying low over the area, Azam Warsak, about 14 kilometers from Wana, the center of South Waziristan agency.
Meanwhile in interior ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Pakistan security forces personnel came under fire while searching for al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters early on Wednesday.
Wana is located more than 300 kilometers southwest of Islamabad and the Pakistani troops began the operation there following leads by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that Al-Qaeda fighters were lurking in the area, just across the border from Afghanistan.
Pakistan has deployed thousands of soldiers along its border with Afghanistan to stop infiltration of Al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants after the Taliban rule crumbled in the war-torn country.
(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2002)
