Pakistan-Clashes
At least 16 people were killed in fighting between Pakistani troops and the suspected militants in a remote town in the country's northwest, the state television reported.

Private TV channels reported that 12 security personnel were killed when the militants attacked a convoy of security forces in Hangu area in North West Frontier Province.

PTV and private TV channels said there are reports of the killing of commandant of paramilitary 'Frontier Corps' Karim Khattak.

PTV said that death toll could be higher as fighting is still continuing.

Mayor of District Hangu earlier said that six security men and two Taliban were killed in the clashes erupted after Taliban surrounded a convoy of security forces at Zargari, a small village in the area.

The security forces used helicopter gunships to hit position of the militants, according to witnesses.

Tribal elders tried to end the siege of the security convoy but failed to convince the Taliban to allow the convoy.

The convoy was heading to Hangu when armed Taliban surrounded it at Zargari area and Zargari is a conservative area and considered to be a stronghold of the local Taliban and was declared as 'no go area' by the Taliban, local correspondents said.

Locals said that residents have fled homes and shifted to safe places.

Correspondents said that several civilians, including children, were also killed and injured in the fighting.

The sources said that 18 other security men were also injured.