As US President George W Bush promised to raise the issue of cross-border terrorism with President Pervez Musharraf when he visits Pakistan, security forces today claimed to have killed around 50 suspected al-Qaeda militants, including a Chechen commander, in the tribal region near the Pakistan-Afghan border.

Pakistani helicopter gunships and ground forces attacked a militant hideout near the border killing up to 50 people, according to senior army officials.

The officials said most of those killed were from Central Asian states and Arab countries. One soldier and a civilian were also reportedly killed in fierce fighting after the army surrounded the training camp in Saidgai village in North Waziristan, they said, adding 15 people were wounded in the attack.

Security officials identified the Chechan as Imam and said he was killed when he tried to escape during the raid.

In Islamabad, Pakistan Defence spokesman, Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan said the raid was launched on the basis of “confirmed intelligence” that militants were present in the area.