"Unidentified gunmen attacked military detachment on Wednesday near the village of Hallale. At least 11 soldiers lost their lives in the attack," the source said, adding some soldiers were reportedly missing.

The defense and security forces managed to kill five gunmen in an exchange of gunfire, local media reported.

The attack came one day after 35 civilians and seven soldiers in the northern province of Soum were killed and 80 terrorists neutralized in two separate attacks Tuesday.

The troubled West African country is faced with a worsening security situation in northern regions as frequent militant attacks have sparked a wave of panic in the country.