24 militants killed, 11 soldiers martyred in Mohmand gunfights

PESHAWAR: The insurgents launched attacks on five paramilitary checkpoints in Mohmand Agency Friday, leaving at least 11 soldiers and 24 militants dead, officials said.

"At least 11 of our men have been martyred and 12 others wounded," Amjad Ali Khan, the administrator of lawless Mohmand tribal district, told reporters at a press conference in the area's main town, Ghalanai.

Security officials earlier said at least three soldiers were martyred in the attacks.

Khan said that at least 24 militants were killed when paramilitary soldiers "befittingly repulsed" the attack at five checkpoints near the border with Afghanistan. "The army has sent helicopter gunships and bombed suspected hide outs of Taliban," Khan said.

Earlier a senior security official told: "About 150 Taliban militants attacked five Frontier Corps checkposts in Baidnami village near the border with Afghanistan. Security forces had cordoned off the area and were searching for the fleeing militants, he said, while reinforcements were sent in "to beef up the checkpoints".

Local administration officials in Ghalanai and the paramilitary force confirmed the attack and casualties.