KHAR: At least 12 militants who had intruded from Afghanistan and a volunteer of a tribal lashkar were killed in a new clash in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency on Friday.

According to official sources, a group of militants from across the border ambushed volunteers who were conducting a search operation along with security personnel in Manro Jungle, Sarkai and Mukaha areas. One volunteer was killed and another injured.

The volunteers and security personnel surrounded the militants and pounded their positions with artillery and heavy weapons. At least 12 militants were killed and several others injured.

About 250 militants had entered the same area on Thursday and killed five civilians. Eight militants were also killed.

The sources said the security forces and the lashkar had taken control of the area and pushed the attackers back into Afghanistan. Several new checkpoints have been set up and troops and tribal volunteers are patrolling the area.

Agencies add: Local official Mohammed Ilyas Khan said he did not know the nationality of the militants who had been killed but they had been hiding since Thursday’s attack on a village.

Meanwhile, the police chief of Afghanistan’s Kunar province alleged that four Afghan children had been killed by a rocket fired from Pakistan.

Gen Ewaz Mohammad says the attack had taken place in Sirkanay district.

He said more than 100 rockets had been fired from Pakistan into Afghan territory over the past few days.

An Afghan border police official, Gen Aminullah Amarkhil, said the rockets had come from an area where the Pakistan Army was fighting insurgents.