Militant attack kills four troops

Four officers were killed in gunfights that underscore the potent rebel threat despite reported peace talks.The Taliban claimed responsibility for an assault on police in Dera Ismail Khan district, a flashpoint for violence, despite claims from some Taliban commanders to have begun talks with the government.They killed two policemen and injured seven others, district police officer Sohail Khaliq told AFP.There were around 10-12 militants, who came in vehicles and used grenades, rockets and firing during the attack. They fled in the same vehicles.Police official, Riaz Hussain, who was wounded in the attack said the fight continued for more than 40 minutes.We suddenly heard a hand grenade blast, followed by the intense firing. We retaliated and fired back, Hussain told AFP from his hospital bed, wounded by a bullet in his right shoulder.Militants opposed to the US-allied government, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) network, have carried out bomb and gun attacks killing more than 4,700 people across Pakistan since July 2007.