KHAR, July 12: A cross-border attack by the Taliban militants based in Afghanistan on Thursday triggered clashes in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal district, killing 12 militants, officials said.

Two members of a local anti-Taliban tribal militia were also killed and four Pakistani troops were wounded in the fighting.

Pakistani officials said some 100 militants from Afghanistan crossed the border and attacked a village in the Kitkot area, some 40km northwest of Khar, the main town in Bajaur agency.

“They forced the residents to vacate houses and torched more than 10 houses,” Tariq Khan, a senior government official told AFP.

“Clashes are continuing and troops are retaliating the fire.”

A senior security official based in Peshawar confirmed the attack and death toll.

Officials said Pakistani Taliban were hiding in eastern Afghanistan and launching cross-border attacks on Pakistani troops and anti-Taliban tribal militia.