Pakistani military officials say 1,000 militants have been killed in a
month-long operation along the Afghan border.
Major General Tariq Khan
told reporters Friday that at least five militant commanders, including
foreigners, were among those who have been killed in the Bajaur tribal region.
Khan said more than 60 Pakistani troops also have been killed in Bajaur since
the military launched its offensive against Taliban and al-Qaida militants in
August.
The general said militants based in the tribal area have
launched attacks against troops in neighboring Afghanistan. He added that if the
militants lose Bajaur, they will lose everything.
Pakistan is under
pressure from Afghanistan and the United States to control militants operating
in its border regions.
Also Friday, police say three
suicide bombers blew themselves up after police raided their hideout in the
commercial capital, Karachi.
Authorities say the militants were believed
to be members of extremist group Laskhar-e-Jhangvi with links to al-Qaida.
Police seized explosives from the badly damaged home and said the men were
planning an attack on Karachi.
Pakistan has been on high alert since a
suicide bomber set off a massive truck bomb outside a luxury hotel in the
capital, Islamabad, last week. Fifty-three people were killed.
And
Pakistani authorities say a bomb blast derailed a train in central Punjab
province Friday, killing at least six people - including children. No one has
claimed responsibility for the attack.
Some information for this report was provided by
AFP and AP.