http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040317/ap_on_re_as/pakistan_al_qaida_hunt&cid=516&ncid=716WANA, Pakistan - Paramilitary troops stormed a fortress-like compound with mortars and machine-gun fire Tuesday, killing 24 suspects in a fierce crackdown on al-Qaida and Taliban fugitives in the rugged tribal regions bordering Afghanistan (news - web sites), the army spokesman said.
The operation — which left at least eight Pakistani troops dead and 15 wounded — was a stunning message delivered just one day after the military president promised to rid the territory of foreign terrorists. There have been several anti-terror operations in the semiautonomous tribal belt in recent months, but none so bloody.
The raid came as Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) began a trip to the region. Powell was in India Tuesday and planned visits to Palistan and Afghanistan starting Wednesday.
More on link.