PESHAWAR: In another serious setback to efforts aimed at forging reconciliation between the government and the outlawed Taliban, an officer of Pakistan Army was killed in an encounter with militants in Bazargai area of Frontier Region (FR) Peshawar on Tuesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The incident comes at a time when negotiations between a four-member committee representing the government and a team representing the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan have already hit a dead-end following the killing of 23 Frontier Corps soldiers by militants in Mohmand Agency.

The sources said an army vehicle was ambushed when it was going towards militant hideouts in Bazargai area, south of Peshawar.

A brief message released by the ISPR said an exchange of fire ensued after the vehicle was attacked in FR Peshawar. In the encounter between army personnel and the militants, Major Jahanzaib Irfan received a bullet wound.

He was rushed to the Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, where he died. Three militants were also killed in the clash, according to the ISPR.

However, the claim about the death of three militants could not be confirmed from independent sources.

A search operation was carried out in the area after the encounter but no arrest was made, a police officer said.

The funeral prayers for Maj Irfan were offered in Peshawar and his body was sent to Multan for burial.