PESHAWAR, March 28: Two officers and 12 soldiers of the Frontier Corps were killed and three others suffered injuries in an accidental blast in Akakhel area of the Khyber Agency on Monday night, a senior official said. But according to some sources, militants ambushed a security forces’ convoy coming from Shindand area to their base in Malwat.

The attack, they said, triggered an exchange of fire which left 12 soldiers, one colonel and a captain dead and three others injured.

A senior security officer said that militants opened fire on paramilitary troops who were on a routine patrol in Akakhel area. He said the forces fired back.

“A mortar shell stuck in the barrel of the gun exploded,” the official said. “It was an accidental blast,” he said.

He confirmed the death of a colonel and a captain and 12 soldiers. The sources identified the officers as Col Sheraz and Captain Abdul Salam.

Local people reported a heavy exchange of fire in the area. Security forces have been operating in the area for some time to flush out Lashkar-i-Islam and other militant outfits.