12 militants, 11 security personnel killed in check post attack in NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) : At least 12 militants and 11 security personnel were killed in a terrorist attack on a security check post in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Tuesday.

The militants attempted to attack a joint check post of security forces and law enforcement agencies in Bajaur district of the province on late Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani Army, said in a statement.

 The attackers tried to breach the security of the check post, but the security personnel responded swiftly and effectively, foiling the attempt and killing 12 militants during an exchange of fire, the statement added.

 However, in the ensuing violence, an explosive-laden vehicle was rammed into the perimeter wall of the check post, causing a powerful blast that led to the collapse of part of the infrastructure, the ISPR said.

As a result of the explosion, 11 security personnel were killed, while nearby civilian residential buildings were also damaged, killing a girl and injuring seven other civilians, according to the statement.

Security forces have launched a clearance operation in the area to eliminate any remaining militants, the ISPR said.