NIAMEY: Niger claimed troops killed 109 Boko Haram fighters when the Islamists carried out their first major attack in the country on Friday, while four soldiers and a civilian were also left dead.

The violence in the cities of Bosso and Diffa along the border with Nigeria also left two soldiers missing and 17 members of the security forces wounded, Niger's defence minister said. A toll was not provided for Chadian forces, who fought alongside Niger troops in Bosso.