18 dead in Pakistan clashes

Scores of militants attacked a Pakistani security post near the Afghan border today, triggering a battle that left 18 fighters dead and cast doubt on claims by Pakistan’s army to have regained control of a critical region.

A separate clash in the Swat Valley put more pressure on a disputed peace deal there, while a Taliban commander suspected in attacks on trucks carrying supplies to Nato and US troops in Afghanistan surrendered to authorities, officials said.