Three Pakistani Soldiers Killed In Shootout With Militants

Three Pakistani soldiers were killed on January 14 in an exchange of fire with militants in the country's North Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border, the military said in a statement.

Three militants were also killed during in two separate intelligence-based operations on militant hideouts.

"During an exchange of fire, three soldiers embraced 'shahadat' (martyrdom), while two terrorists and a bomb-making expert were also killed," Pakistan's military said in a statement.

Local security officials told RFE/RL that the clashes with militants took place in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan.

The events came two days after two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three others were wounded when suspected militants attacked their post in Speenwam area of the North Waziristan.

In 2014, the army launched a large-scale operation to eradicate militant bases in the region and curb a near decade-long insurgency that claimed thousands of lives.

In 2016, the army claimed to have cleared the last militant stronghold there after a three-month operation.

With reporting by AFP