PESHAWAR: At least 15 suspected militants were killed early on Sunday as security forces repulsed a militant attack carried out in Kurram tribal region from across the border in Afghanistan.

Official sources say that the militants attacked the Shabuk security checkpost in Kurram Agency injuring one soldier.

The security forces responded to the attack with retaliatory firing killing at least 15 attackers while the others fled back to Afghanistan.

Blast kills woman

A woman was killed and 14 others, including children, were injured in a blast near Sadar market in Kurram Agency.

Official sources say that the blast occurred when a toy-like bomb exploded in a house situated in Gula Jan area of Kurram's Pir Qayyum village.

The condition of three wounded was reported as critical.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border.

The region was claimed by the military to have been cleared of insurgents during an operation a couple of years ago, however, militants still carry out sectarian attacks and also target security forces occasionally.

Kurram tribal agency is adjacent to North Waziristan region where the operation Zarb-i-Azb is in progress against Taliban and other insurgent groups.

Pakistan Army's announced the grand operation named 'Zarb-i-Azb' against Taliban militants in the stronghold following a Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakisitan-claimed attack on Karachi airport and failure of peace talks between government and Taliban negotiators.

The development also comes amid Operation Khyber I which was launched in Khyber tribal agency on credible information about the presence of militants in parts of Sipah and Akkakhel areas.