DHAKA: At least 80 militants were eliminated in a clash between security forces and militants in parts of Khyber Agency’s Tirah Valley on Saturday resulted.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) seven soldiers also lost their lives during the operation, reports the Dawn on Sunday.

An official said that security forces had suffered casualties in Operation Khyber-II. He said one army major was among the injured.

The bodies of soldiers were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital in Peshawar.

A spokesperson for the banned Lashkar-i-Islam (LI), Salahuddin Ayubi, told journalists on phone that bodies of 11 soldiers were in the custody of his group.

He said the soldiers were killed during a ground offensive launched by security forces to take control of the LI stronghold in Sipah area.

The LI has recently announced merger with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

According to sources, at least 20 soldiers were either killed or wounded in the ongoing gun battle in Tirah.

BDST: 1057 HRS, MAR 22, 2015