LANDI KOTAL, April 5: At least 14 militants and four soldiers were killed in fierce fighting in Akkakhel area of Bara in Khyber Agency on Friday.

Security officials said they seized control of Sher Sali, a base of banned militant group Lashkar-i-Islam, after a gunbattle lasting several hours. The fighting left 14 militants and four soldiers dead.

The fighting began in the morning when security personnel, along with members of the pro-government Tawheedul Islam group, launched an attack on the Enzar Gul markaz of the Lashkar-i-Islam in Mathra area of Akkakhel.

Security forces claimed to have made advances into the militant-controlled areas after seizing the Sher Sali base.

Meanwhile, one militant was killed and nine others were injured when fighter jets bombed Taliban positions in Dwa Thoe and Thand areas of Shalobar in Tirah valley.