India, July 24 -- At least 15 people, including soldiers, police personnel and a government official, were killed after militants carried out a suicide attack on a security checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan, the country's military said on Friday.

The attack took place on Thursday night in Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which shares a border with Afghanistan.

The Pakistan Army said 12 militants were also killed during retaliatory action following the attack.

Militants used an explosive-laden vehicle

According to the military, the attackers attempted to breach the security installation by driving an explosives-packed vehicle into the outer wall of the checkpoint.

The military described those killed in the attack as "br...