Dozens of militants ambushed troops in Orakzai Agency on Friday, killing a soldier and sparking clashes that left up to 25 insurgents dead, officials said. Members of the Frontier Corps were attacked while driving through Mamuzai area of Orakzai, the stronghold of Hakeemullah Meshud, leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. “Around 50 local militants, waiting on both sides of the road, opened fire on the convoy. One soldier was killed and more than 20 were injured,” a paramilitary official told AFP on condition of anonymity. They were ambushed at around 7:30am and ensuing clashes lasted around 40 minutes, the official said. “The troops, backed by helicopters, retaliated and killed at least 25 militants,” he added. Sher Bahadur Khan, an administration official in Orakzai, gave the same casualty numbers but independent confirmation of the toll was not possible. More than 3,000 soldiers have died but Pakistan has resisted US pressure to do more to eliminate havens used by Afghan insurgents. On the other hand, Online news agency said at least 38 militants were killed and seventeen soldiers injured in the clashes.
