Dozens of Pakistani soldiers have been killed in clashes with Islamic militants in the mountainous region along the border with Afghanistan.

The bodies of many soldiers with their throats slit were found near a village in the North Waziristan tribal region, which is a stronghold of proal-Qaeda militants. Major-General Waheed Arshad, an army spokesman, said 45 soldiers were killed in the heaviest fighting in the region since 2001.

Pakistani jets bombed rebel posts yesterday as fierce fighting raged for a third day, leaving more than 150 militants dead. Many civilians were killed when houses used by militants as hideouts were targeted through air strikes and mortar fire. The fighting centered around the town of Mir Ali, where tribesmen backed by al-Qaeda have seized control.

The fighting began when militants ambushed a number of army convoys on Saturday.

Pakistani intelligence agencies believe that al-Qaeda has regrouped in the region and has set up militant training camps along the border. Some reports also suggest that Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s deputy, could be based there.

Political uncertainty continues in Pakistan after General Pervez Musharraf’s victory in controversial presidential elections at the weekend. The Supreme Court is to decide this month on the legality of his re-election for another five-year term.

More than 250 soldiers have been killed, most them in suicide attacks, in renewed fighting after the collapse of a controversial peace deal between the army and the militants in July. The deal, struck last year, was opposed by the United States and Nato on the ground that it provided a safe haven to the Taleban and al-Qaeda, who are fighting Afghan government and coalition forces across the border.

Pakistan has rejected a ceasefire proposed by the militants, saying that punitive action would continue until complete peace was restored in the area. The military said that contact had been established with 35 troops who were reported missing after ambushes on Monday.

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