PARACHINAR, Pakistan — A government official says six Islamist militants and a Pakistani soldier have been killed in a gunbattle near the Afghan border.

Aurangzeb Khan, a local administrator, says the fighting Tuesday in Orakzai tribal region began after insurgents attacked troops stationed there.

Security forces have been targeting militants in Orakzai since March when Pakistan dispatched troops there to kill or capture insurgents belonging to or allied with the Taliban and al-Qaida.

It is one of several Afghan border regions where the army is fighting militants.

Khan says 600 insurgents and 70 soldiers have died in Orakzai since March.

The Pakistani military declared victory in Orakzai in June, but violence has continued. (AP)