3 soldiers die in al Qaeda clashes
From CNN Producer Syed Mohsin
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Three Pakistani soldiers were killed and 17 were wounded Tuesday in clashes against suspected al Qaeda forces in the South Wazirstan border area of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Hundreds of Pakistani soldiers and helicopter gunships are taking part in the operation.
Intelligence sources also told CNN that 15 other people were killed Tuesday in the operation against al Qaeda hideouts.
Last Thursday, a Pakistani army convoy hit a land mine in the region, killing six soldiers and wounding 10 others.
Pakistani forces have been engaged in an operation against remnants of al Qaeda and Taliban for more than a year.
But in recent weeks both sides have suffered heavy casualties.
