Niamey, June 19 (IANS): A total of 38 civilians were killed between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, and over 100 houses burnt during an attack by the Boko Haram terrorist group in Niger's southeastern region near the Nigerian border, official sources said in Niamey.

"Boko Haram killed 10 children, 14 women and 14 men during their attacks in Lamana and Ingoumaoua localities within Gueskerou commune," Xinhua news agency quoted Niger's Interior Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou as saying on national radio on Thursday, confirming earlier reports by a private radio station, Anfani.

According to Anfani, some 40 civilians were shot and killed, while others were grouped in houses which the terrorists later set on fire.

In the last three months, Niger, just like other countries neighbouring Lake Chad Basin, have come under deadly Boko Haram attacks which have left many civilians and soldiers dead.

The Nigerien and Chadian troops are still engaged in a large-scale operation against this Nigerian Islamist sect to remove its fighters from Lake Chad zone which is considered as their stronghold.