KALAYA: Two security officials were killed when a remote-controlled bomb struck their vehicle in the Orkazai tribal region, DawnNews reported.

In a counter-attack, government forces killed eight militants, local officials said.

There was no independent confirmation of the clash as the region is remote and out of bounds for journalists.

Orakzai is one of the most lawless areas in Pakistan’s northwest tribal region, which is made up of seven districts near the Afghan border.

Pakistan launched a major operation in Orakzai in March last year after militants fled a sweeping offensive in the nearby tribal district of South Waziristan.

Late last year military officials said lower Orakzai had been cleared, but the militant threat persisted in some pockets of the upper part of the area.

Around 4,000 people have been killed in militant attacks in Pakistan since July 2007.