Pakistani officials say hundreds of militants have crossed the Afghan border and attacked three security checkpoints in northwestern Pakistan,killing 12 troops.
Police official Nizam Khan says Pakistani forces responded to Saturday8217;s attacks in Chitral district,killing nine militants.
The dead Pakistani forces included 10 paramilitary soldiers and two police officers.
Khan says the militants seized the village of Godibar after they destroyed the checkpoints.
Maj. Ghulam Rasool,a member of the paramilitary forces,says troops called in helicopter gunships. He says the fighting is still going on.