Officials say army kills 9 alleged militants in fresh clashes in northwest Pakistan

Officials: Army kills 9 insurgents in NW Pakistan

PARACHINAR, Pakistan — Officials say nine militants were killed and 10 others wounded in clashes with Pakistani troops near Afghanistan.

Local official Jahanzeb Khan says militants attacked a checkpoint near Goain village in Orakzai tribal region Sunday, but security forces fought back. Two intelligence officials said troops then used heavy artillery to target militants’ positions, killing at least nine.

Both intelligence officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.

Many insurgents have fled to Orakzai to escape an army offensive against the Pakistani Taliban in South Waziristan tribal region.

The information could not be verified independently because access to the area is restricted.