soldiers ISLAMABAD, Oct 7, SPA -- Twenty militants and sixsoldiers died in a battle in northwest Pakistan on Sunday,the military said. The fighting occurred in North Waziristan, a stronghold ofpro-Taliban militants near the Afghan border, AP quoted armyspokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad as saying. Security forces launched an operation against themilitants after they attacked troops overnight, Arshadsaid. Twenty militants were killed and 15 were wounded, hesaid. Six soldiers were killed and as many others were woundedin the exchange of fire with militants, the Directorate ofInter-Services Public Relations, the army's publicrelations department, headed by Arshad, said in astatement. The directorate had earlier reported two troopdeaths. Security forces also captured two militants, it said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/488742