Pakistani army kill 50 militants

Pakistani troops backed by jet fighters and artillery killed about 50 militants in a volatile north-western tribal region near Afghanistan where the country's top Taliban leader is believed to be entrenched with thousands of his fighters, officials said today.

They were the first known militant casualties in South Waziristan - where Pakistan Taliban head Baitullah Mehsud and al-Qaida figures are believed to be hiding - since the military started pounding the area with artillery about a week ago.