Clashes leave 4 Pakistani soldiers, 19 militants dead: Army

Pakistan army said Saturday that at least four soldiers and 19 militants were killed in clashes in the country's North Waziristan tribal region.

The clashes erupted as the army expanded ground offensive in the region where the felling militants have taken shelter in the rugged mountains.

The security forces had launched a massive operation in June 2014 and have cleared most of the areas from the Taliban and other armed groups.

The Army Chief General Raheel Sharif in a recent visit to North Waziristan had directed the troops to intensify ground offensive to clear the remaining areas.

Locals say that the Taliban militants have now moved to Shawal area where they are taking advantage of forests.

"Today ground forces surrounded a group of fleeing terrorists in area Mangroti near Pak-Afghan border in Shawal. Intense exchange of fire took place. 19 terrorists were killed and several injured in exchange of fire. Four security forces personnel including an officer also embraced shahadat (martyrdom) in exchange of fire," the army said.

"Ground operation in Shawal progressing smoothly," a statement said. Enditem