Islamabad, Sep 8 (DPA) Four school children and 24 Islamic militants were killed Tuesday in ongoing violence in Pakistan's lawless tribal region, where government forces are fighting Taliban and Al Qaeda rebels.

A gunman with suspected Taliban links opened fire on a group of students in the Utman Khel area of tribal Orakzai district earlier in the day, killing at least four of them.

The attack came as the students were walking to school, an official in the district's administration said.

'Four students were fatally shot while three others suffered bullet wounds,' said Asmatullah, who identified himself with a single name.

Aaj News television channel reported that the militants wanted to kidnap the students. At least two were seized.

The assault triggered a gunfight between the militants and a pro-government militia, which was raised to resist the Taliban insurgency. One attacker was killed and three others injured in that clash.

Taliban fighters in Orakzai are commanded by Hakeemullah Mehsud. He recently succeeded Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who died in a US missile strike on his stronghold of South Waziristan early last month.