PESHAWAR: Bodies of 17 suspected militants were recovered from the Spin Qabar area of Khyber Agency's Tirah valley on Saturday. However, these claims could not be independently verified as journalists have limited access to the restive tribal agency.

The Inter Service Public Relations has confirmed that at least 60 suspected militants attacked a security check-post. During the encounter at least 17 suspected militants were killed and the rest fled, leaving the bodies of their comrades behind. The attack was successfully repulsed.

ISPR spokesperson Asim Bajwa dubbed Khyber the "alternate base" of terrorists, and said the terror infrastructure is being hurt "even more".

Their bodies have not been identified as yet.

One suspected militant killed, four security personnel injured in Lower Dir clash

In a separate incident, one militant was killed and four security personnel were injured in a clash in Lower Dir district.

According to sources, the militant — who was a suicide bomber — blew himself up when he was rounded up for a security check. Four security personnel also sustained injuries.

Security forces also seized 10 hand grenades and other weapons during a search operation carried out in the Chakdara area of Lower Dir.

Khyber is among Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border, rife with homegrown insurgents and foreign militants. These are also home to religious extremist organisations including the Al Qaeda.

Pakistan's military launched the operation ‘Khyber-1’ last month with air strikes against LI hideouts in areas under the Mangal Bagh-led group’s control in Tirah and Bara.

The latest operation was launched amidst Zarb-i-Azb, a full-fledged military operation being conducted by the army against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militants in the North Waziristan tribal region.

One militant killed, four arrested in Bajaur Agency

One terrorist has been killed and four others arrested during a search operation conducted by security forces in the Mamond Tehsil of Bajaur Agency on Saturday.

The security forces also seized large cache arms and ammunition during the search operation.