Eight soldiers were killed in an attack by Taliban fighters on a security check post in Pakistan's tribal belt while six others were killed in two bomb attacks in the country's restive northwest on Thursday, officials said.
Over 100 militants, armed with rockets and heavy weapons, attacked the check post in the volatile South Waziristan region early Thursday morning. Twelve militants were also killed in an exchange of fire.
In a separate incident, four persons were killed and three others injured when militants targeted members of an anti-Taliban militia travelling in a vehicle with a roadside bomb in Matani area on the outskirts of Peshawar city, police said.
Two persons were killed and three more injured in a second roadside bombing that targetted a vehicle carrying food to a paramilitary camp in Upper Dir district, police said.
Upper Dir witnessed several major militant attacks last week. The bomb attack in Mattani was the second one in five days. A bomb planted in a passenger van on June 5 killed seven persons.
The Taliban have repeatedly attacked members of a pro-government militia in Mattani area, where residents have supported action against militants. In March, at least 37 people were killed and more than 40 injured when a suicide bomber targeted the funeral of the wife of a pro-government tribal elder.
