ISLAMABAD, May 24 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 militants, two police personnel and two militia men were killed, while several others, including civilians, were injured during a security operation in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police sources said on Sunday.
Police and security forces launched a search-and-strike operation following reports about the presence of militants in Bannu district on Saturday, the sources told Xinhua.
A local peace militia also participated in the operation. Two militia members were killed and three others injured when militants carried out a drone strike during the clash, the sources added.
Eight policemen were also injured in the attack and were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The search operation to track down militants in the area continued until Sunday morning, according to the sources.
The militants reportedly belonged to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and used sophisticated weapons in the attack, the sources said. ■
