Fresh assault kills 18 militants in Pakistan

Pakistan claims to have killed 18 Islamist militants today, as part of an escalating campaign against insurgents.

It was the second day of fighting in Shahukhel in Hangu district, close to the Afghan border.

Like other parts of the frontier zone, Hangu is home to al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents that launch attacks in Pakistan, as well as in Afghanistan.

Pakistan is under pressure to crack down on militants and has won praise from its Western allies for an ongoing, major operation in the South Waziristan border region.

But critics say the army should do more against insurgent groups who use the north-west as a safe haven to attack Western troops in Afghanistan.

Hangu is around 150 kilometres (93 miles) north of South Waziristan.

The Shahukhel assault today saw troops backed by artillery and helicopters take on the militants, while yesterday a further 12 were killed in the same area.