At least two soldiers and three Taliban militants were killed Thursday in an early morning attack on a security checkpost in restive northwest Pakistan.

At least two soldiers and three Taliban militants were killed Thursday in an early morning attack on a security checkpost in restive northwest Pakistan, officials said.

A group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants attacked the post on the outskirts of Bannu district, prompting security forces to return fire.

"Around 10 militants attacked the security forces' check-post outside Bannu suddenly under cover of darkness," a senior security official in the area told AFP.

"The forces responded affectively and killed three attackers. Two soldiers were also killed during the fight."

A local administration official confirmed the attack and causalities.

Pakistan has been battling a homegrown insurgency for over a decade following the late 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

The Pakistan army began a major campaign against Taliban and other militant strongholds in the North Waziristan tribal area in June last year and authorities have now vowed to intensify operations both in the border regions and across the country.

The military offensive has resulted in a fall in the number of attacks around the country, with militants finding it harder to coordinate, fund and supply their operations.