File Photo. Asif Hassan—AFP
Security officials claim 21 militants were also killed in the conflict.
Eight soldiers were killed in a clash with militants in Khyber Agency, officials said Wednesday, as security forces carried out a clearance operation.
“Eight soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom) during fierce fighting and exchange of fire with terrorists,” said a local security official based in Peshawar. He said that 21 militants were also killed.
The incident occurred in the Spin Qamar neighborhood, near the Bara area of Khyber, as security forces carried out an operation to clear suspected militants. Another security official also confirmed the incident.
Pakistan has been battling Islamist groups in its semi-autonomous tribal belt since 2004, after its Army entered the region to search for Al Qaeda fighters who had fled across the border following the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.