Six soldiers, 22 militants killed in clashes in northwest Pakistan

Six Pakistani soldiers and 22 militants were killed in armed clashes in a northwestern region on Saturday, the army said, amid an increase in attacks on security forces in the area.

The firefights took place in three districts after soldiers conducted intelligence-based operations in Waziristan and its adjoining regions, the army statement said, Reuters reported.

The Pakistan Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), said its fighters had killed the soldiers by storming a security checkpoint. It did not say how many militants had died in the clashes.

The TTP has accelerated its attacks in recent months, mostly targeting members of the security forces.