Islamabad, Jumada I 18, 1437, Feb 27, 2016, SPA -- At least 34 militants and four soldiers were killed in gun battles and airstrikes between the Pakistani army and rebels Saturday in the country's troubled north-western tribal region, officials said said. The army's ground troops surrounded a group of fleeing terrorists in the Mangroti area of North Waziristan, near the Afghan border, leading to an intense exchange of fire, the army said in a statement. "Nineteen terrorists were killed and several injured in exchange of fire. Four security forces personnel, including an officer, also embraced shahadat (martyrdom)," it said. Pakistan announced this week that the last phase of an ongoing operation has been launched to clear militants from the border areas of North Waziristan. -- SPA 20:35 LOCAL TIME 17:35 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w