SAMANA, Pakistan, June 23, 2010, SPA -- Pakistani security forces killed 24 militants on Wednesday in clashes that erupted after insurgents attacked a security check post in the northwestern Orakzai region, officials said. "Militants attacked the check post at around 11 a.m. (0600 GMT) with small arms and rockets, prompting retaliation from the security forces that killed 24 insurgents," government official Azhar Khan told Reuters. Wednesday's clashes, which also killed a paramilitary soldier and wounded nine, happened in the militant stronghold of Djabori that was captured by the security forces last month. Over 600 militants and about two dozen security personnel have been killed in fighting over the past month in Orakzai. --SPA 14:46 LOCAL TIME 11:46 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/795416