PESHAWAR: Eleven militants and three soldiers were killed in a clash which followed a cross-border attack in North Waziristan Agency on Tuesday. And in Kyber Agency, at least 23 suspected militants were killed in air strikes on their hideouts in Tirah Valley.

According to the military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists from Afghanistan attacked the Dandy Kuch checkpost in Spinwam area in North Waziristan where a military operation against local and foreign militants is under way.

Frontier Corps personnel manning the checkpost fired back and the shootout left 11 attackers and three soldiers dead. Troops captured one attacker and took hold of three bodies. The ISPR did not disclose the identity and nationality of the attackers.

It was the first-cross border attack in North Waziristan Agency since the army launched Zerb-i-Azb operation in June.

Twenty-three terrorists killed in Tirah air strikes

Over 100,000 people have crossed into Afghanistan in the wake of the operation. Pakistan has criticised the Afghan government for giving refugee status to these people.

Military commanders spearheading the operation have said that local and foreign militants who have gone to Afghanistan could use the Afghan soil for launching attacks in Pakistan.

Our correspondent adds from Landi Kotal: At least 23 militants were killed when military planes pounded their hideouts in Tor Data area in Khyber agency.

Security officials and the ISPR said that precision bombings had destroyed three hideouts and two ammunition depots.

Claims about casualties could not be confirmed from independent sources.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2014