Taliban militants killed at least 15 paramilitary soldiers in an ambush in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday, officials said. The militants attacked a convoy of paramilitary troops as it was heading towards the volatile town of Hangu, 40 km (25 miles) west of the garrison town of Kohat. "At least 15 soldiers including an officer have been killed in the attack," a senior government official in Hangu told Reuters. A military official said up to 12 soldiers were killed. A Taliban spokesman said one of their fighters was killed.Tension has been running high in and around Hangu since Thursday when militants took 11 paramilitary soldiers and government workers hostage to press for the release of their seven men arrested earlier. Militants have threatened to kill the hostages if their comrades were not freed.