United States-led coalition forces have killed 24 Taliban fighters who were apparently trying to enter Pakistan from the border with Afghanistan in north Waziristan, the Pakistani army said on Friday.
"During the search we found 24 dead bodies of those involved in the alleged operation and two destroyed twin-cabin
cars," Pakistan military spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan told reporters in Islamabad.
The Pakistan army was alerted about the fighting that took place between Taliban militia and coalition troops near Afghanistan border, he said. "It is suspected the Taliban rebels were trying to escape into Pakistan when they were hit
by firing from coalition troops, which took positions nearby," he added.
The incident followed recent allegations by Afghanistan that Pakistan was permitting the regrouping of Taliban, which resulted in escalating attacks in the provinces bordering Pakistan. Pakistan denied the allegations.
Gen Sultan said Pakistani troops were not involved in the operation at Lwara Mandi located 90 km south of Miran Shah, the headquarters of north Waziristan.
"Our troops were on alert and took position to stop anyone if they tried to enter our territory," Sultan said.
He said Pakistan forces were put on alert after information was received on Friday night that there had been clashes between coalition and anti-coalition forces.
"Our forces were on standby so that no one could be allowed to enter Pakistan," he added.