Police in Pakistan say at least three soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in the country's northwestern Swat Valley.

Security officials say a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a security checkpoint in the town of Khawaza Kehla Saturday. At least four soldiers were wounded.

Pakistan's military launched an offensive in Swat and surrounding areas in late April after militants violated a peace deal and began advancing toward the capital, Islamabad.

Officials call the operation a success and say most of the Taliban insurgents have been driven from the region. However, Pakistani forces have encountered some lingering resistance.

The military says eight militants were killed Saturday in a clash that erupted as soldiers searched another area of Swat Valley. Two others were detained.

Elsewhere in northwestern Pakistan, security officials say fighter jets targeted a suspected militant hideout in the South Waziristan tribal region Saturday.