Islamabad: At least 20 militants and four government troops were killed in a clash on Saturday in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region of Orakzai, according to media reports quoting official sources.
Three soldiers and several militants were also injured in the gunfight in the Shirin Dara area of the region.
Orakzai is one of seven federally administered tribal districts along the border with Afghanistan.
In another incident, an explosion caused by an improvised explosive device in Bajaur tribal region reportedly killed one security personnel.
Since mid-June the Pakistani army and air force have been engaged in a large-scale offensive against militants in North Waziristan tribal region, killing according to the military more than a thousand militants so far.
The security forces have also carried out targeted operations in Khyber Agency tribal area over the past few weeks, reportedly killing dozens of militants.
