Dozens of militants attacked a paramilitary checkpoint overnight in the Khadizai area of Orakzai Agency, killing two soldiers and sparking clashes which left up to 21 of the militants dead, officials said Friday.
Security officials claimed the militants were killed when troops retaliated with artillery and heavy weapons, but no independent confirmation of the death toll was possible in an area cut off to journalists and aid workers.
The attack took place when a group of more than 50 militants attacked a checkpost in the Khadizai area, around 75 kilometres (47 miles) southwest of Kalaya, which is the main town of Orakzai tribal district.
“The attack came at around 1:00 am. The militants killed two soldiers and injured 11. We retaliated and killed 21 militants,” a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“The clash continued for around two hours,” he added.
A local administration official said the injured soldiers and dead bodies were later flown by helicopter to a military hospital.
