Pakistan reports 16 Taliban deaths

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 3 (UPI) -- At least 16 militants were killed in Mohmand as Pakistan's army and the Taliban traded fire throughout the Frontier Province, military sources said Sunday.

The 16 were killed overnight Saturday when an estimated 100 militants attacked a Frontier Corps checkpoint in Mohmand, a Taliban stronghold, CNN reported.

The attack came amid the stepped up Pakistani offensive against militants in Buner district, where Pakistan's army Saturday secured a key road in Ambela-Daggar and cleared it of roadside bombs, military officials told CNN.

In the Upper Dir district, militants Saturday kidnapped and then released 10 soldiers and seized their weaponry and ammunition, CNN reported.

Negotiators for each side met Friday to discuss Pakistan's contention the Taliban violated a peace agreement in the North West Frontier Province. The two sides agreed to meet again in the coming days, a provincial spokesman said.