Pakistan clears Taliban militant nests

Kohat: Two northwestern towns of Taliban militants were cleared by Pakistani security forces and gunship helicopters, after 15 soldiers were killed in an ambush last week, military said on Thursday.

The attack was launched late on Wednesday, and it cleared militant nests in Hangu, 40 kilometres west of Kohat.

Irregular gunfire was heard by residents, but intelligence reported that most of the militants had fled to Orakzai, a neighbouring tribal region.

A curfew was imposed around Handu, and residents were asked to move to relief camps immediately.