The attack, in which about 12 militants were killed, appeared to be part of a new strategy by the Pakistani Taliban of staging large-scale assaults on military and government targets in a bid to demoralise the army.
It came on the heels of a flurry of missile strikes by U.S. drone aircraft in the tribal region along the Afghan border regarded as a hub of militants from around the world.
The Pakistani Taliban have intensified attacks across Pakistan in recent weeks to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. special forces in the country on May 2.
The United States appears to have stepped up its drone missile strikes against militants, especially after U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton visited Pakistan recently and urged Pakistan to do more to fight insurgents.
It`s not clear if Pakistan, recipient of billions of dollars in U.S. military aid, has shared intelligence with the Americans in stepped up drone missile attacks in South Waziristan.
The CIA, which operates the remotely-piloted drones, may have spotted high-value al Qaeda or Taliban militants there.
No one claimed responsibility for Thursday`s militant attack on the checkpost. Last week, the Pakistani Taliban staged a similar attack in the northwest, and officials said up to 400 militants took part.
"The militants were carrying rockets and heavy weapons and attacked the checkpost shortly after midnight," an intelligence official in Waziristan told Reuters, describing the latest attack. "Eight soldiers were killed and twelve were wounded."
Security forces hit back, killing at least 12 militants, another official said. It was not possible to verify the casualty figures. The attack took place on the border between North and South Waziristan.
Analysts say the new Taliban tactics suggest they are becoming deadlier.
"That`s a very dangerous trend. That means they are really gaining strength," said Talat Masood, former army general and columnist. "I think they have upgraded themselves from the suicide bombings to fully-fledged attacks." (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
