Pakistani soldiers killed in Swat
Clash with pro-Taliban group in country’s northwest claims at least 20 lives.
A military spokesman in Swat also confirmed the incident and said security forces had foiled a suicide attack on Tuesday and destroyed a explosives-laden vehicle in the area.
Swat battleground
For the past year, security forces have been fighting loyalists of pro-Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah, who has led a violent campaign to impose Taliban-style law in Swat, a mountain valley once popular with tourists.
Pakistan also launched a military offensive in August against fighters in the nearby Bajaur tribal region, bordering Afghanistan.
Pakistani tribal lands are regarded as safe havens for al-Qaeda and pro-Taliban fighters.
Violence has surged in these regions since 2007, and the number of US missile strikes by pilotless drone aircraft against fighter targets have increased in recent months.