Pakistani Rangers Kill At Least 10 Militants Outside Karachi

Pakistani paramilitary forces June 23 gunned down at least 10 militants in two encounters in suburban areas of the sprawling southern city of Karachi, authorities said.

The paramilitary rangers were acting on an intelligence tip that militants belonging to an unnamed, banned outfit were present in Kathor, a district in the northern outskirts of the port city.

When rangers went to cordon off their hideout, militants opened fire. Two of the militants were killed in retaliatory fire.

Their accomplices fled the scene, but rangers in pursuit killed four more. Two soldiers were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.

Elsewhere, in the Manghopir area, rangers killed four militants and later recovered automatic weapons and a suicide vest. One soldier was injured.

The two areas are known to be hotbeds for the Taliban, though authorities didn't identify the militant group involved.

Pakistan's war against Islamic militants intensified in December when the Taliban attacked a school in Peshawar, killing over 150 people -- mostly children.

Based on reporting by AFP and Dawn.com