58 killed in Pakistan border clash

A day-long clash between militants from Afghanistan who crossed the border and attacked a Pakistani checkpoint left 23 troops and 35 insurgents dead, police said today, underlining the challenges facing Pakistan as it tries to stamp out insurgents in its north-west.

The fighting came as a top Pakistani general said the military plans to stage an operation against militants in a tribal region which juts deep inside Afghanistan, but denied media reports of an upcoming offensive in North Waziristan, the tribal area where the US has been pushing for action.