ISLAMABAD, April 14 (Xinhua) -- At least nine hardcore militants and three troops were killed during an exchange of firing between the insurgents and the forces in Pakistan's east Punjab province on Friday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the mouthpiece of Pakistani army, said in a statement that paramilitary troops Rangers, Intelligence Agencies and Counter Terrorism Department carried out a joint operation against terrorists holed up in a hideout in Basti Dadwani, 15 km south of Dera Ghazi Khan district of the province.
The statement added that the killed militants were affiliated with banned outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, their facilitators and other hardened criminals.
"During the exchange of fire, 9-10 hardcore terrorists were killed," the ISPR said.
The statement added that three soldiers of Pakistan Rangers were killed and two others sustained injuries during the clash.
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