26 October 2004	Tuesday	11 Ramazan 1425

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WANA, Oct 25: Three soldiers were wounded during a heavy exchange of fire between security forces and militants in South Waziristan on Monday, sources said.

The clashes took place in the Karvan Manza locality of Laddah sub-division where militants attacked troops' positions at around 10.30am.

The security forces returned fire, and the exchange continued for a few hours, with both sides using artillery, mortars and rockets. Three soldiers of the Punjab Regiment suffered injuries, an official source said.

In a related development, a militant commander, Haji Mohammad Omar, has offered to cease fire during the holy month of Ramazan.

"Our fighters are ready for a ceasefire provided the security forces don't attack us," Haji Omar said while talking to Dawn by phone from an undisclosed location in the region.

He, however, said his fighters were fully equipped to counter any attack, adding that the government should accept his offer.

Meanwhile, troops and elders of the Mehsud tribe have suspended their search operation in the Spinkay Raghzay area where authorities believed militants had been holed up.

The army had launched the house-to-house search in the area to capture supporters of tribal militant Abdullah Mehsud.

The sources said security forces had moved two bulldozers in the Spinkay Raghzay area and there were reports these would be used to demolish tribesmen's houses.

Residents said fresh contingents of troops had arrived in the troubled area on Monday morning and started taking positions on hilltops and plains.