Islamabad, March 13: At least 14 militants have been killed and several others injured in two separate clashes between security forces and the armed men in Pakistan’s northwestern Orakzai tribal region.
Dozens of militants attacked a security checkpoint in Khiljo area in the tribal region on early Saturday, sparking a gun battle that left eight militants dead, a Media correspondent reported citing local sources.
Three Pakistani troops were also injured in the assault. The injured soldiers were transferred to a local hospital where they are reported to to be in stable condition.
Another fighting between security forces and militants in Kachkai area of Orakzai has left six militants dead and 12 others injured.
There was no independent confirmation of the latest incident as the warzone is considered out of bounds for the media.
Orakzai is one of the most lawless areas in Pakistan’s northwest tribal region, made up of seven districts near the Afghan border.
Pakistan launched a major operation in Orakzai in March last year after militants fled a sweeping offensive in the nearby tribal district of South Waziristan.
Around 4,000 people have been killed in militant attacks in Pakistan since July 2007.
——–Agencies