Pakistani troops have killed at least 11 people at a checkpoint in a remote region bordering Afghanistan where soldiers are hunting for al-Qaida terrorists and Taleban militants.
The Pakistani army says the troops opened fire after they were attacked by two or three vehicles. But the army says it can not rule out that some civilians were also killed in the incident, which the military is calling a terrorist attack.
Some reports say the 11 people killed were traveling in a van that failed to stop at the roadblock in South Waziristan tribal region.
The army says 16 people were also arrested.
Tensions are high in the region following an attack Friday on a military camp and a Tuesday operation that resulted in the arrest of at least 20 suspected militants.
Pakistani forces recently stepped up activities in the region, where al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding.