Pakistan troops in Tirah valley outpost clash

Militants have stormed a military outpost in Pakistan's volatile north-west, killing at least 10 soldiers, officials have said.

Soldiers repelled the attack in the Khyber tribal area and killed 20 militants the army said - but this cannot be verified independently.

Officials blamed the hard-line Lashkar-e-Islam group, which fights with other religious groups in the area.

Violent clashes are common in Pakistan's north west.

The area has been a sanctuary of Lashkar-e-Islam and security forces have conducted operations in the area for years.

A major operation was launched about three months ago, forcing about 20,000 residents to shift to a camp for the internally displaced people in the Peshawar region.

A military spokesman said the militants stormed a security post in the Mirai Sar area of Tirah valley with heavy weapons. He said the exchange of fire continued until 5am local time.

There had been a lull in fighting across the north-west in recent months. But this week has seen a spate of gun battles and bombings, raising concerns that violence is worsening