South Waziristan, Sep 21 (V7N) — At least six Pakistani soldiers were killed, and 14 others injured in a militant attack on a security post in the northwestern border region of South Waziristan, near the Afghan border. The attack, which took place early Friday morning, was met with retaliatory fire from the army, killing 12 militants.

The exchange of fire occurred in the volatile district of South Waziristan, a known stronghold of militant activity. According to reports, the condition of four of the injured soldiers remains critical. The attack and subsequent casualties have been confirmed by several officials, though they requested anonymity.

In an official statement, Pakistan's military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), provided details of the attack, confirming the deaths of both soldiers and militants. However, the statement did not provide information about the number of injured soldiers.

“A group of terrorists attacked a security post in South Waziristan, leading to a fierce gunfight between the security forces and the terrorists. Six soldiers and five terrorists were killed in the confrontation,” the ISPR said.

The military further revealed that seven additional militants were killed while attempting to infiltrate into North Waziristan from Afghanistan. A significant amount of arms, ammunition, and explosives were also seized at the site.

The Islamic militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Pakistani security post. South Waziristan and its surrounding regions have been frequent hotspots for clashes between militants and the military, with TTP's resurgence posing an ongoing threat to security in the region.

This latest assault underscores the continued instability in Pakistan's northwestern areas and the challenges faced by the country's security forces in combatting cross-border militant activity.

END/RH/AJ