PESHAWAR: A Pakistani security official said militants ambushed paramilitary soldiers patrolling a tribal area along the Afghan border, triggering a shootout that left two troops and five insurgents dead.

The official said Wednesday the clash happened overnight in the Shaheedano Dhand area of the Kurram tribal region. The Pakistani army recently said it intends to launch a new offensive against insurgents in Kurram, but has not given details.

The security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not specify the number of militants involved.

Pakistan's army has staged several operations against al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in Kurram and other parts of the tribal belt, but the militants have proved a resilient foe.