Six soldiers and ten militants killed in explosion and clashes in northern Pakistan

Islamabad, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- The Pakistani army announced on Friday that six soldiers and 10 militants were killed in an explosion and sporadic clashes in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northern Pakistan.

The Pakistani army's media wing said in a statement that security forces carried out an intelligence-led operation in the tribal area of North Waziristan within the province, following reports of the presence of militants in the area.

The statement clarified that "during the operation, Pakistani forces effectively engaged the militants at their location, and after intense crossfire, six of them were killed."

It added that in another clash in the Hangu district of the same province, security forces succeeded in eliminating four other militants. The statement also noted that an improvised explosive device targeted a security force convoy, resulting in the deaths of six soldiers.

These operations come amid a rise in attacks across Pakistan, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which border Afghanistan.

(END) S.B.K / T.M.A