Fighting in northwest Pakistan kills up to 15 militants

Islamabad: About 15 militants were killed by Pakistani forces in a northwestern tribal region after the government failed to negotiate a ceasefire to end weeks of violence between warring Shiite and Sunni Muslims, officials said.

The operation was launched late on Tuesday in Kurram, a region known for sectarian violence, after a deadline to end fighting expired.

An Interior Ministry statement said a group of tribal elders was sent to Kurram to broker a ceasefire, but troops were ordered to act when both sides refused to stop fighting, resulting in the death of between 10-15 Pakistani Taliban.

It was not clear when the fatalities occurred as the military action that was launched overnight continued on Wednesday.
"The FC (Frontier Constabulary) has been given a go ahead to take action as deemed necessary in case of violation of the ceasefire," the statement said.