Many dead in Pakistan clashes

At least 18 people have been killed in heavy clashes between Pakistani troops and pro-Taliban fighters in northwest Pakistan.The deaths followed an attack on a security checkpoint in the Mohmand tribal region along the border with Afghanistan early on Saturday. "The Taliban attack was launched before dawn, troops retaliated and heavy fighting continued until early this morning," Major Fazal Khan, a local military spokesman, said.Officials said that the dead included at least 16 fighters and two paramilitary soldiers.In the neighbouring district of Bajaur, armed men took over a house killing at least one civilian and injuring several women, security sources said.The clashes in the tribal areas come as soldiers in Buner district, just 100km northwest of the capital, Islamabad, battled pro-Taliban fighters.