At least three militiamen and over 20 militants were killed in clashes between Pakistani troops and militants in Pakistan’s northwest tribal area of Bajaur Saturday afternoon, reported Xinhua citing local media.
According to a report by local Urdu TV channel Geo, the clashes broke out at noon time when a group of Pakistan and Afghan militants attacked security forces in Salazai area of Bajaur Agency, a militant insurgent tribal area at Pakistan-Afghan border.
Troops, with backup support of local pro-government peace militiamen, launched a retaliatory attack, killing at least 28 militants and injuring several others.
Three militiamen were killed and five others got injured in the joint operation. No loss of life was reported at troops side. Several hideouts of the militants were reportedly destroyed by shelling from army helicopter.
The troops also arrested 15 militants who were shifted to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.
The heavily armed militants who were reportedly over 100 in number used sophisticated weapons in the attack.