Pakistani security forces say they have killed five suspected militants in an operation against tribal rebels in the troubled province of Balochistan.
The operation in the Sui area, backed by helicopter gunships, also destroyed an alleged militant camp.
Local tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, however, said 12 civilians had been killed in the operation.
Gas-rich Balochistan has seen rising violence as tribal groups push for greater political and economic rights.
Pakistani paramilitary forces said in a statement that the operation targeted a camp being used by militants near a gas field in Loti.
Five tribal rebels were arrested, the statement added.
Tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti denied there were any rebel casualties.
He told reporters 12 people, mostly women and children, were killed in the operation in which "22 helicopters and jet planes" were used.
'Armed resistance'
Gas pipelines were blown up in Sui earlier this week which led to the suspension of supplies in Kohlu and Dera Bugti districts.
The rebels have previously blown up gas pipelines, railway lines and electricity lines. They have also attacked army bases and government buildings.
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has accused tribal leaders of putting up armed resistance to his plans to build a sea port and road network to turn Balochistan into a major trading zone.
But the Baloch tribal leaders say their struggle is for greater provincial autonomy and an increased share of mineral resources from the gas and oil rich province.
(BBC)
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