ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, October 18, SPA -- Troops backed by helicoptergunships and artillery pounded militant positions innorthwest Pakistan, killing 60 fighters and wounding manyothers, the military said Saturday. The assault occurred Friday evening in the Swat valley,shortly before a senior U.S. official arrived in Pakistanfor talks with leaders of the country. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher held talks inIslamabad on Saturday morning with Pakistan's InteriorMinistry chief Rehman Malik and was expected to meet otherleaders later in the day. He made no public comment, according to a report of Associated Press.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/598852