KHAR: Pakistani officials say hundreds of militants attacked a checkpoint in a northwest district along the Afghan border overnight, killing 14 security forces.

Officials from the police, government and intelligence agencies said the fighting was still ongoing Friday morning. They did not know how many militants died in the clashes in the Khankai area of Lower Dir.

Lower Dir lies just outside Pakistan's tribal regions, where al-Qaida and Taliban fighters have proliferated. The army has carried out operations against militants there and in the tribal areas.

The four officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Army officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.