December 01, 2008	Monday	Zilhaj 2, 1429

BANNU, Nov 30: Three security personnel and eight militants were killed and 17 others suffered injuries in a gunbattle which followed a Taliban attack on a police checkpoint on Bannu-Miramshah road on late Saturday night.

Police said the militants attacked the Baranpul checkpoint with rockets and mortars. Police returned fire and they were joined by troops.

Police said three security personnel were killed and 17 were injured.

Bannu DPO Mohammad Alam Khan Shinwari said the Taliban escaped with the bodies of seven of their companions, leaving one body behind.

The Taliban carried out another attack on Sunday but were repulsed.

Ahmadullah Ahmedi, a spokesman for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (Hafiz Gul Bahadar group), claimed responsibility for the attacks, which he said would continue till US drone attacks were stopped.

He said the agreement reached with security forces in North Waziristan would not be violated and attacks on government installations and functionaries would be carried out only in the settled areas of the country.