Afghan militants stage Pakistan attacks

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MOHMAND, Pakistan, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Pakistani soldiers battled hundreds of pro-Taliban militants who crossed from Afghanistan into the country's tribal areas this weekend, officials said.

The militants launched attacks on Pakistani army checkpoints in the Mohmand agency, part of the lawless Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Saturday night and early Sunday morning, but were eventually repelled, military officials told CNN.

The clashes left 40 militants believed to be foreign fighters and six Pakistan soldiers dead, military spokesman Gen. Athar Abbas told the U.S. broadcaster.

"This is one of the largest attacks we have seen," he said, adding the militants used rocket launchers and machine guns.