LADDAH, July 10 Fighting erupted between security forces and militants in South Waziristan on Friday and Saturday, leaving 32 terrorists dead, officials said.

Six security personnel also lost their lives in fierce clashes that took place in the area after a long pause in violence. Thirty-five security men were reported injured in Karwan Manza, Pash Ziarat and Dwa Toi areas dominated by the Mehsud tribe.

Militants resumed attacks at a time when the government is making arrangements to send over 300,000 displaced people of the Mehsud tribe back to their homes. The registration process for displaced people started a few days ago at relief camps in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts.

Officials said militants attacked a check-post in Dwa Toi area at around 11am on Saturday, injuring 18 security men. Security personnel, backed by helicopter gunships, returned fire and killed 14 militants. The officials said that bodies of four militants had been taken into custody.

The heavy exchange of fire continued till evening.

Another check-post in Karwan Manza came under militant attack in which three security personnel were killed. Government forces repulsed the attack killing 12 militants. The counter-offensive also left 17 security personnel injured.

Six militants and three security personnel were killed in a clash in Pash Ziarat area on Saturday afternoon after terrorists attacked a convoy.

The political administration in Ahmadzai Wazir has asked tribes to expel foreign and local militants from the area or face action.

At a jirga in Wana on Saturday, Assistant Political Agent Abdul Ghafoor Shah asked tribal elders to abide by the peace deal signed between the government and tribes in 2007.

The officials said that foreign and local militants had sanctuaries in the area, adding that tribesmen are required to take action against militants in accordance with the agreement.

Syed Hassan Mahmood adds Fifteen militants were killed and 10 others injured when fighter jets bombed targets in upper tehsil of the Orakzai Agency on Saturday.

Officials said that hideouts and training facilities of the Taliban had been hit. They said that 351 militants had been killed and 192 wounded in air strikes over the past 10 days. Sixty-eight hideouts were destroyed.