Fifteen killed in clashes between Taliban and Afghan tribal police

Sep 18, 2011, 10:22 GMT

Islamabad - Taliban militants on Sunday raided a security checkpoint in north-western Pakistan, triggering clashes that killed 15 people, a security official said.

The early morning raid by dozens of militants took place in Akakhel Bara area of Khyber Agency at a checkpoint jointly manned by tribal police and members of a pro-government militia, said senior security official Syyed Ahmed Jaan.

'They killed four members of Aman Lashkar (tribal militia) and one personnel from Khasadar (tribal police). In retaliatory action we killed estimated 10 terrorists,' said Jaan, adding that the militants took the dead bodies of their colleagues with them while fleeing.

Khyber Agency one of the seven tribal districts along Afghan border where the Taliban and al-Qaeda have hideouts.

Local tribesmen in various areas in north-western region have raised armed militias which support government forces in security actions against Taliban. But due to lack of proper training and arms, they become an easy target for militants.

In recent months, Taliban have carried out several attacks on tribes that are hostile to them.

Early this week, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the funeral of a pro-government tribal elder in Upper Dir district of north-western province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, killing at least 40 people and injuring more than 60.