Pakistan clashes leave 62 dead

THREE days of clashes between security forces and militants in north-west Pakistan near the Afghan border left more than 56 militants and six soldiers dead, the military said.

The vast majority of the deaths occurred during a two-day operation on Sunday and Monday in the Maidan area of Lower Dir, a region bordering the Swat Valley.

Major Fazlur Rahman said the operation was aimed at clearing pockets of resistance in Maidan and those killed included militants who fled the Swat area during the army’s offensive.