PESHAWAR: At least three soldiers were killed and 15 were injured in a clash with militants in the northwestern tribal region of Orakzai on Friday, security sources said.

Officials said more than 100 militants launched the massive assault on a security check post in Samo Kali area of Mamozai in upper Orakzai agency. The clash also left at least 20 militants dead and 13 injured, said Political Tehsildar Hameed Khan.

Sources said the militants had launched the attack to avenge the killing of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) No. 2 Waliur Rehman Mehsud in a drone strike in North Waziristan two days ago.

Mamozai is believed to be a stronghold of the TTP led militants affiliated with Hakimullah group.

Security officials have claimed in the past that up to 92 per cent of Orakzai has been cleared of insurgents in the ongoing military offensive in the restive tribal region.

Orakzai is one of Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds.