4 army troops killed in clash with militants in northwest Pakistan

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Four army troops, including a colonel, and three suspected militants were killed in a clash in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, the military said.

The clash took place during a security operation in Tirah valley of Khyber tribal district that sits near border with Afghanistan, an army statement said.

Three other militants were also injured in the clash.

Pakistan has seen an uptick in militant attacks since the Taliban recaptured neighboring Afghanistan two years ago.

More than 20 soldiers and 15 suspected militants have been killed in ensuing clashes in southwest and northwest Pakistan this month alone.

Some 17 soldiers were killed on Friday in two separate attacks in southwestern Balochistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

At least nine suspected militants were killed after they attacked an air force base in northeast Pakistan on Saturday.

Pakistan accuses "Afghanistan-based' militants of carrying out attacks on its security forces. Kabul denies the charge.