Pakistani security officials say some 150 militants stormed five checkpoints in northwest Pakistan Friday in a coordinated attack that left 11 soldiers and 24 militants dead. The clashes took place overnight in the Mohmand tribal region near the Afghan border.
A Taliban spokesman disputed the casualty figures, claiming the militants killed about 12 soldiers.
U.S. officials say the region has become a base for Taliban and al-Qaida militants responsible for deadly attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan.
A recent review of the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan called for greater cooperation with Pakistan, to deny safe havens to terrorists who operate in the border regions.
In the southwestern city of Quetta Friday, a bomb planted on a bicycle exploded killing a police officer and wounding several others.
Officials say the bomb was detonated by remote control as a police vehicle passed by.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
