Pakistani government officials say militants have killed two paramilitary troops and kidnapped at least 22 others in an attack on posts in the country's northwest.

Authorities say dozens of heavily-armed militants stormed at least two paramilitary checkpoints near Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, early Thursday.

Local administration official Naveed Akbar told news agencies that at least 22 paramilitary soldiers were reported missing after the attack.

There is no immediate claim of responsibility but the province borders Pakistan's tribal agencies, a known hub for Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants.