A fierce gun battle in North Waziristan, Pakistan, close to the Afghanistan border, ended with high casualties on Monday. In the deadly skirmish, at least 19 militants, including top commanders, and seven Pakistani soldiers were killed, according to Reuters.
Military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa described the deadly incident, which resulted in more casualties than usual.
"Nineteen terrorists were killed, including five of their commanders, in an intense exchange of fire with security forces last night in uncleared pocket of North Waziristan," he said.
According to a number of security officials, seven Pakistani soldiers were killed when one of the Islamist militants detonate his suicide jacket, according to Reuters.
Bajwa mentioned in a statement that, following an intense chase, the soldiers had the militants cornered when the jacket exploded, reports the Times of India.
The Pakistani army has claimed they have cleared about 80 percent of the region of militants. However, the insurgents remain holed up in the Shawal region, which is close to the Afghanistan border.
The militants took refuge in the area after a massive military operation against them was initiated last year in North Waziristan, according to The Times of India.
Locals from the area, however, have stated that Dattakhel and the Shawal Valley remain under control of the militants.
Efforts are currently underway to clear the final stronghold of the militants, which are responsible for the deaths of more than 55,000 people in the past ten years.
