HANGU: At least six militants were killed and several others were wounded in a clash with security forces in northwestern Pakistan's Hangu district, 150 kilometres southwest of Peshawar, on Tuesday, DawnNews reported.

The clash occurred when militants attacked a security forces check post in the area. The forces retaliated, killing six militants.

Militants are engaged in a campaign of violence against security forces in Pakistan, a key ally in the US-led “war against terror”.

Around 4,000 people have died in suicide and bomb attacks across Pakistan since 2007.

The bombings have been blamed on terror networks linked to the Taliban and al Qaeda.