KALAYA / PARACHINAR, Nov 21: Two army officers and 47 militants were killed in clashes in Orakzai and Kurram agencies on Monday.

Another 11 army personnel, two of them officers, and 38 militants were injured.

The clashes followed an attack on a security convoy in the Khadezai area.

According to sources, the convoy was attacked from two sides. Capt Adnan Khan and Capt Dr Faraz were killed in the attack and 11 security personnel, including Capt Mohsin and Capt Adnanullah, were injured.

Other security officials injured in the attack are Naib Subedar Jalal Khan, Havaldar Dost Mohammad Khan, Lance Naik Mohammad Ghani, Havaldar Noor Afzal and Sepoys Ashraf, Ramazan, Juma Gul, Bakhtawar Gul and Bezar Khan.

The militants used rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and other heavy weapons in the attack.

Security forces launched a counter-attack during which gunship helicopters shelled militants' positions. At least 26 militants were killed and 13 others injured and four explosives-laden vehicles were destroyed.

The Khadezai area where the convoy was attacked is considered to be a stronghold of Taliban in Orakzai Agency.

The militants also attacked checkposts in Arkhang and Zakhtun localities in the Dabori area of Orakzai's upper tehsil.

The gunship helicopters attacked and destroyed four hideouts, killing 10 militants. Security forces also continued search operations in various areas to capture Taliban fighters. Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Hafiz Saeed claimed that security forces had suffered heavy casualties in Khadezai area.

In central Kurram Agency, security forces attacked Taliban strongholds and killed 11 militants and injured 25 others. Heavy artillery pounded Taliban hideouts in Masozai area, destroying five hideouts.