Militants kill 6 Pakistani soldiers in a shootout

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Militants killed six Pakistani soldiers in a shootout, the army said Saturday. The recent unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on the border with Afghanistan, involving armed groups including the Pakistani Taliban are active.

The troops died during a night operation in North Waziristan district on Saturday, according to an army statement. It said six militants were also killed.

The army said a separate operation killed two militants in Swat, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. One of them is said to have been involved an attack on a convoy of foreign ambassadors in the area earlier this month.

Mobile services remained suspended in Islamabad on Saturday as the second day of the targeted lockdown began Thwart rallies in support of the former leader Imran Khan. He is in prison on multiple charges.

Shipping containers blocked the city's entry and exit points, but videos from Khan's PTI party showed supporters crowding into vehicles and trying to drive to Islamabad.

According to the party, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and others in the convoy worked throughout the night to remove shipping containers from the road.

The PTI later said security forces had arrested Gandapur for entering Islamabad in defiance of a ban on gatherings. Police and officials did not immediately confirm the arrest.

Clashes broke out between Khan supporters and security forces in D-Chowk, which is close to several key government buildings including Parliament and the Supreme Court.

The PTI also said it plans to hold a rally in Lahore.