Pakistan kills 20 militants; peace pact in doubt

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s military says troops have killed 20 militants in an operation that has cast doubt on a peace pact between the government and the Taliban.

An army statement said paramilitary troops killed the militants on Monday in Lower Dir, an area of the northwest that borders Afghanistan. The military said it killed 26 militants there on Sunday.

U.S. officials have criticized the pact as a capitulation to extremists threatening the region and are pressing the Pakistani government to take tougher action.