Fifteen killed in Khyber Agency

KHYBER AGENCY: At least fifteen people were killed when Taliban militants attacked a checkpost manned by pro-government tribesman and security forces in Khyber Agency, officials said on Sunday.

Armed with assault rifles and hand grenades, the militants killed four ethnic Pashtun tribesmen and a paramilitary soldier in the late Saturday attack.

Members of a tribal militia and security forces retaliated, killing 10 militants, said a senior government official in the Khyber Agency, where the incident took place.

"A large number of weapons from the militants were also confiscated," said the official, Rehan Khattak.

Taliban have stepped up attacks on Pashtun tribes who have raised militias to help security forces.

Copyright Reuters, 2011