PARACHINAR, June 1: Clashes continued in Parachamkani area of Kurram agency with officials claiming that 35 militants were killed and several others wounded on Saturday. Two soldiers also lost their lives and five suffered injuries.

Officials said an outpost of security forces came under rocket attack early in the morning in which two soldiers were killed and five others injured.

The Pakistan Army and paramilitary forces backed by helicopter gunships retaliated, repulsing the attack after heavy shelling.

An official told the media that 35 militants were killed and two vehicles destroyed. Three hideouts were also targeted.

The claim could not be verified from independent sources.

Wounded soldiers were shifted to Combined Military Hospital at Thall garrison.

Security forces had launched an operation in Parachamkani, east of Parachinar, on May 10 after a bomb attack during an election rally of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl candidate Muneer Khan Orakzai left 26 people dead. The incident led to the postponement of elections in the area.

According to an official, around 200 militants have been killed in Parachamkani so far. Thousands of families have been forced to flee the conflict zone.