Pakistan: 7 security personnel killed in clashes

Seven security personnel and 18 militants were killed and five soldiers were kidnapped by Taliban militants on Friday during an attack on a check-post in the restive Kurram tribal region of northwest Pakistan, which has witnessed fierce fighting in recent days.

The militants attacked the check-post in Shidano Dand area near the border with Afghanistan, officials were quoted as saying by TV channels.

The attack triggered fierce clashes in which seven soldiers and 18 militants were killed, the officials said.

Fourteen soldiers and over 80 militants have died in recent fighting in Jogi area of Kurram Agency, where the Taliban have targeted soldiers holding a strategic mountain.

Troops recently took control of the mountain after flushing militants out of the area.

Combat jets carried out air strikes in the region after the Taliban killed several soldiers in attacks.

The Pakistan Army and Air Force have been conducting operations against the Taliban in Kurram Agency since the beginning of the year.

Besides the activities of the Taliban, Kurram Agency has been affected by clashes between Shia and Sunni tribesmen over the past four years.

Hundreds of people have died in the fighting between the rival tribesmen.