Areas cleared in Pakistan after militant attacks kill nine troops

Army soldiers carry the coffin of an army officer killed during a battle with militants in Pakistan. Twin attacks by separatists on Pakistani military posts in the the province triggered intense firefights that killed soldiers and assailants (Abdul Majid/AP)

Pakistan’s military said security forces cleared two areas in a southwestern province of separatist militants after they attacked two army camps, leaving nine soldiers dead and six others wounded.

Twenty militants were killed in intense firefights and follow-up operations, it said.