Pakistan's army said its forces killed 12 militants, described as terrorist elements and members of the Afghan Taliban, and thwarted an attempt to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistani territory in the Kurram area in the country's northwest.

In a statement issued today, the army's media wing said security forces detected the movement of an armed group trying to slip across the border. According to the statement, Afghan Taliban positions opened fire in support of the infiltrators, triggering clashes in which 12 militants and one Pakistani soldier were killed.

The statement said security operations against terrorism will continue and that Pakistan's borders will be protected against cross-border threats.