Terrorists Ambush Pakistani Paramilitary Convoy

Taliban ambushed a Pakistani paramilitary convoy killing 13 and taking more than a dozen hostages. It seems Pakistan is more unstable than Iraq. AP

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — At least 13 paramilitary forces and three militants were killed in a weekend ambush and shootout in northwestern Pakistan, an official said Sunday, underscoring the threat posed by Islamist insurgents in the area.

Details of the Saturday encounter remained sketchy, but officials have said militants attacked a Frontier Constabulary convoy in the Zargari area of Hangu district. On Sunday, authorities were still trying to retrieve bodies from the resulting bloodbath and to free more than a dozen hostages taken by the Pakistani Taliban.

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Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik, however, ruled out a full-fledged military operation in response, despite ongoing U.S. pressure on Pakistan to confront insurgents.

The clash occurred in an area wedged between some of Pakistan's tribal regions, where central government authority has traditionally been weak. The tribal regions are considered Pakistan's main havens for Taliban- and al-Qaida-linked fighters, but militants have recently increased activities in other parts of the northwest, which borders Afghanistan.

Only because the Pakistani government has signed peace deal with terrorists in this region.