Pakistani officials say militants have clashed with security forces in the volatile northwest region of the country, leaving at least 10 soldiers and 23 militants dead.

The early Friday militant attack happened in the Tirah valley of the restive Khyber tribal district along the porous Afghanistan border. Insurgents have taken advantage of the area's lawlessness to set up strongholds.

Separately Friday, Pakistani police say gunmen have shot dead an intelligence official in the northwestern city of Peshawar. It was not immediately clear who shot the official, but Taliban militants have attacked and killed intelligence officials in the area.