At least 15 Taliban militants were killed Saturday in clashes with the security forces in Pakistan's troubled tribal region along the Afghan border, the army said.
The fighting happened in the Tirah valley of Khyber, one of seven tribal districts, where government forces have are battling the Islamist rebels.
The army said in a statement that a group of about "30-35 terrorists" was observed near a military post. Troops "engaged the terrorists" and surrounded them, leading to an "intense gun battle." Three soldiers were wounded in the fighting, the authorities said.
The toll could not be verified through independent sources as the area is remote.
Pakistan launched an offensive in Tirah more than two weeks ago and so far over 200 militants have been killed, according to the army.