PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistani security forces conducted an operation against a militant hideout in the northwestern region of Pakistan on Monday, leading to an extended gun battle that resulted in the deaths of at least 10 insurgents and left several others injured, according to police reports.

The confrontation took place in the Tirah district within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as described by police official Azmat Khan. He identified those killed as members of the banned militant organization known as Lashkar-e-Islam.

At this time, details concerning any potential casualties among security personnel remain unclear.

Additionally, on the same day, militants attacked a police station located in the Bannu district of northwestern Pakistan, where they abducted seven officers, as reported by district police chief Ziauddin Ahmed.

Although no organization has officially claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, there are strong indications that the Pakistani Taliban, referred to as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), may be involved. This group is known for targeting security forces in the region. The TTP is a banned organization in Pakistan and operates similarly to the Afghan Taliban, who currently hold power in neighboring Afghanistan.

In recent months, Pakistan has experienced an increase in militant activities, with much of the violence attributed to the TTP as well as separatist groups in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The Baloch Liberation Army, a designated terrorist organization, has been engaged in a longstanding insurgency in that area.