Islamabad  - At least 20 militants and four troops were killed on Wednesday in an operation by the Pakistan Army against Taliban fighters in the restive tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, an army spokesman said.

The clashes took place as thousands of troops, backed by helicopter gunships, launched a major offensive to take control of the Taliban's command and control system in the Rashkai area of Bajaur tribal district.

Islamabad - Pakistan's Army said Wednesday it killed at least 11 Islamic militants in the restive Swat district of the country's North Western Frontier Province.

"Our troops targeted insurgents' positions with artillery fire in Kuza Bandai area of the district this morning. According to initial reports, 11 miscreants were killed and numerous were injured in the action," army spokesman Major Murad Khan told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Security forces cordoned off the area and were trying to clear out pockets of resistance, he added.

Islamabad, Sep 9: Asif Ali Zardari has been sworn in as 12th president of Pakistan at a ceremony in Islamabad here on Tuesday.

Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar administered the oath of office to Zardari.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, Asifa Bhutto Zardari and Benazir's sister Sanam Bhutto were also present during the ceremony.

Islamabad - Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday took the oath of office as president of Pakistan after his weekend election.

Abdul Hamid Dogar, chief justice of the Supreme Court, administered the oath at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, or President House.

Wearing a navy suit and white shirt, Zardari pledged to uphold the constitution and to do his utmost to preserve and protect the nation.

Islamabad, Sep 9 : The government will not put up with ‘any hot pursuit’ inside Pakistani territory, Leader of the House Raza Rabbani told the Senate.

Responding to concerns voiced by Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Professor Khursheed Ahmed, Rabbani said there was no ambiguity in the government’s policy on the war on terror, and it would not tolerate attacks against the country’s territorial integrity.

“We have a clear policy that no one will be allowed to violate our territorial, political and economic sovereignty,” he added.

Islamabad, Sep 9 : Extremists have converted Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into the world’s most dangerous area, said Rehman Malik, adviser of Interior Ministry.

He urged the militants to lay down their arms if they were sincere to Islam and Pakistan.

The Daily Times quoted Malik as saying that the government would welcome the militants if they surrender their arms, but obviously ‘cannot award them medals for their acts’.