At least eight soldiers and 21 militants were killed in clashes in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region where the military has launched a major offensive against the Taliban.
The fight took place yesterday during clearance operation in Spin Qamar area of Khyber tribal district where forces have been battling the rebels since the beginning of the month when operation Khyber-I was launched.
"21 terrorists were killed and several others injured," army said adding that eight soldiers embraced martyrdom during the fierce exchange of fire that ensued during the operation.
Army chief General Raheel Sharif attended funeral of the martyred soldiers held in Peshawar garrison.
Army has said that more than 1,100 terrorists were killed in Zarb-i-Azb operation launched against Taliban in North Waziristan in mid-June while another 44 were killed in Khyber-I offensive unleashed against rebels in Khyber tribal district at the start of this month.
Around 100 soldiers have also died in the fight against the rebels so far.
