At least 30 militants were killed in less than 12 hours in a hail of missile strikes by suspected US drone aircraft in Pakistan's north-west region.

Thousands of families began fleeing a town in a Pakistani tribal region after three days of fierce clashes between pro-Taliban militants and security forces that killed nearly 200 people. Around 150 militants and 45 soldiers were killed in fighting around Mir Ali, a town known as an al-Qaeda haunt.

A Pakistan army spokesperson says a Swiss couple, who was kidnapped by the Taliban last July, have escaped from their captors and are well.

At least 30 militants were killed in less than 12 hours in a hail of missile strikes by suspected US drone aircraft in Pakistan's north-west region.

Thousands of families began fleeing a town in a Pakistani tribal region after three days of fierce clashes between pro-Taliban militants and security forces that killed nearly 200 people. Around 150 militants and 45 soldiers were killed in fighting around Mir Ali, a town known as an al-Qaeda haunt.

A Pakistan army spokesperson says a Swiss couple, who was kidnapped by the Taliban last July, have escaped from their captors and are well.