WORLD BRIEFING / PAKISTAN

Pakistani security forces raided a Taliban hide-out in the southern city of Karachi and pounded suspected militant training camps in the northwest, killing at least 20 people and underscoring the nationwide challenge of eradicating insurgents.

Police officials said the foray in Karachi thwarted plans for terrorist attacks in the country’s largest city, while the bombing and shelling of targets in South Waziristan on the border with Afghanistan further weakened the Taliban as the military prepares for a new offensive there.

In Karachi, police working on a tip raided an apartment and warned suspected militants inside to surrender, said city police chief Waseem Ahmed. Instead, those inside opened fire, and the ensuing battle left five suspected militants dead and wounded five others. Six suspects escaped.

Officers found a cache of weapons and explosives in the apartment, Ahmed said.

In the South Waziristan villages of Makeen and Ladha, troops struck militant training facilities and ammunition dumps with artillery and warplanes, the military said in a statement. The strikes killed 15 insurgents and wounded 13 more, two intelligence officials said.