Pakistani military officials say at least 100 militants and nine Pakistani soldiers have died in fighting along the Afghan border.

Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps said Sunday that security forces backed by helicopter gunships have been battling rebels in the Bajaur tribal region for the past four days.

The fighting erupted Wednesday when hundreds of militants attacked a security post, killing two soldiers.

The Bajaur region is a known sanctuary for Taliban and al-Qaida militants.

Officials suspect the fighters use the area to attack neighboring Afghanistan.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.