LADHA, May 3: Fighting broke out between security forces and militants in Ghundai area of South Waziristan early on Friday morning in which each side claimed inflicting heavy causalities on the other.

The clash followed an attack by militants on a security post.

According to sources, militants loyal to the Shamim Mehsud group attacked the checkpost situated on a hill at about 3.30am. Security personnel retaliated and the subsequent gunfight continued for about 90 minutes.

Intelligence sources claimed that 12 militants were killed and several others injured in the fighting. They said that security personnel took into custody four bodies of militants which were later buried in the area.

They also admitted that a soldier was killed and three others were injured in the clash.

On their part, the militants claimed to have killed 12 security personnel and seized a huge quantity of arms from the post. They said they had taken away heads of three slain security personnel.

Meanwhile, nine militants and a soldier were killed in a clash in Dabori area of Orakzai tribal region.

Sources said a group of militants carrying sophisticated weapons attacked a checkpost in Shin Qamar area of Dabori, a stronghold of Taliban, at about 1pm and killed a soldier, Akram.

Reinforcement forces backed up by tanks and artillery pieces soon reached the spot to help the personnel manning the post. After a heavy exchange of fire, the security personnel managed to repulse the attack.

Security forces claimed that nine militants were killed and four injured in the fighting.

They said an explosives-laden vehicle had been destroyed.