A Pakistani military official says troops in the Waziristan tribal region near the Afghan border have killed nine militants after an attack on a military checkpoint.
The official says four soldiers were also killed in a counterattack following the militants’ checkpoint raid. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the media on record.
Pakistani security forces are currently engaged in a massive ongoing operation against militants in both northern and southern Waziristan. These tribal regions along the Afghan border have served for decades as safe haven for local and foreign militants who operate on both sides of the border.