Islamist militants have ambushed a Pakistani military convoy near the Afghan border, killing nine soldiers and two officers, Reuters reported. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, BTA reported.
The convoy was hit in Kurram district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, by roadside bombs, after which a large number of militants opened fire.
The Pakistani army said the soldiers died during an operation in which they killed 19 Islamist insurgents in the neighboring Orakzai district. In a statement to Reuters, the Pakistani Taliban said its fighters attacked the convoy.
In recent months, the Taliban, who want to overthrow the government and replace it with their own hardline Islamic rule, have stepped up attacks on Pakistani security forces. Islamabad says the insurgents use neighboring Afghanistan to train and plan attacks, and are funded and supported by India. Both sides deny the allegations.