KALAYA: At least 13 militants and two soldiers were killed and as many troops wounded in helicopters’ shelling on suspected hideouts and a roadside bomb blast in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency on Wednesday.

Sources said security forces were patrolling Badami Kali when a landmine planted on the road went off. Two soldiers — Sikandar and Inam Khan — were killed and Captain Khalil and another soldier Abid suffered serious injuries.

They were taken to the Combined Military Hospital in Kohat.

Shortly afterwards, helicopter gunships started shelling suspected hideouts in Badami Kali and Gall village.

Officials claimed 13 militants were killed and two double-cabin trucks laden with explosives destroyed.

AFP adds: “More than 30 militants attacked a Frontier Corps checkpost in Dabori area of Orakzai tribal region on Wednesday afternoon and killed three security persons,” a security official told AFP in Peshawar.

“The security forces responded to the attack with full force and used helicopters for shelling on the militants. At least 10 militants were killed in the response.”

Seven troops were injured during the firefight.