Over 600 militants from both the local area and Afghanistan launched a frontal assault on three checkpoints in Pakistan’s border Mohmand Agency, sparking a several hour gunfight which led to the deaths of at least 40 of the attackers and six Pakistani soldiers. At least seven other soldiers and an unknown number of militants were also wounded.
The exact details of the attack are still emerging, but one of the checkpoints was reportedly entirely destroyed in the attack, and the militants also briefly occupied another, though they eventually fled under heavy military fire.
The reason behind the attack is not clear, but with a large portion of the Pakistani military shifted to the Indian border amid growing tensions there, forts and checkpoints along the Afghan border are operating with minimal personnel, making them more appealing targets for militants with an axe to grind against the Zardari government.