Battles Rage on Border of Pakistan and Afghanistan

Violence has reached a fever pitch in Waziristan, where at least 45 Pakistani soldiers and 150 pro-Taliban militants have died during intense fighting over the past 3 days. Unconfirmed reports say another 50 rebels and an unknown number of civilians died today, according to the BBC. Pakistan’s ceasefire with al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in the border region broke down in July.

The fighting centers on the town of Mir Ali, a major militant base. Townspeople are reportedly fleeing in the face of bombs, jet fighters, and helicopter gunships. A Pakistani spokesman rejected a new ceasefire and promised to “continue punitive action till complete peace is restored.” Pakistan’s population, meanwhile, largely disapproves of the war, seeing the US as the chief instigator.