Updated 10:12am 12 April 2012

Islamist militants killed near Afghan border

PAKISTAN claims to have killed 18 Islamist militants 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 has won praise from its Western allies for an ongoing, major operation in the South Waziristan border region.

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