An official of the military's media wing said they had been missing in Orakzai district since December 21 when militants attacked a check post.

The bodies were found Sunday.

One security official said 23 soldiers were attacked in the late-night attack by up to 100 heavily armed militants. The bullet-riddled bodies of the missing 10 were found dumped in Dabori town of the tribal area.

"They killed 13 soldiers and took away 10. The bodies (of the 10) were found in Dabori today," said another source on condition of anonymity.