Pakistani forces kill 17 militants in Khyber

Pakistan army said on Saturday that the security forces have foiled an attack on a check post and killed 17 militants in Khyber tribal region.
The attack promoted encounter with the militants at Spin Qamar area of Khyber agency near the Afghan border.
An army statement said that a group of 50 to 60 armed militants launched the attack on the post.
"The security forces gave a befitting response to the terrorists," the military information wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.
The ISPR said the militants left the bodies and fled.
The military did not give any details of its casualties in the clashes.
There was no independent confirmation of the statement as journalists have no access to the conflict regions.
The security forces are engaged in major offensive in Khyber agency against a militant group "Lashkar-e-Islam". The Taliban also announced support to the group and vowed to send fighters to help them.
Lashkar is blamed for attacks on the security forces in Khyber agency, also a key supply route for the NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan.