Civilians die in Waziristan clash

A woman and her son have been killed in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal area during a clash between security forces and militants, officials say.

The clashes ,which started on Wednesday night, took place in Hamzoni near the town of Mir Ali, the authorities said.

The militants attacked a paramilitary check post with rockets, officials said. Security forces responded with heavy weapons fire.

Several other civilians were injured as houses were hit during the exchanges.

Fighting lasted about an hour, according to security officials and residents who spoke to Reuters news agency.

More than 150 people have been killed in clashes between militants and security forces in North Waziristan earlier this month, officials say.

Thousands of Pakistani soldiers have been deployed in the volatile tribal region along the Afghan border as part of an operation to flush out Taleban and al-Qaeda militants believed to be hiding in the area.