MIRANSHAH: Clashes between troops and militants in North Waziristan killed 19 soldiers and civilians, and wounded nearly 100 others, officials said Tuesday.

Violence flared Sunday when gunmen armed with rockets attacked a military convoy near Miranshah, the main town in the tribal district on the Afghan border.

Among the dead were 12 Pakistani soldiers, three of whom were captured and beheaded, a local intelligence official told AFP.

“Seven civilians, including two children and three women, were killed and 71 others were injured during two days of violence,” the official added.

At least 20 soldiers were also wounded, he said.

On Monday, helicopter gun-ships attacked a three-storey building housing weapons shops in Miranshah’s main bazaar, causing a huge fire, witnesses said.

Two other intelligence officials in the area confirmed the death toll of 19.

Officials on Monday had put the overall death toll at 15.

Intelligence officials also said 17 militants were killed in the clashes.

An AFP reporter saw the bodies of 12 militants.

Calm has since returned, after local tribal elders interceded between the political administration and militants, officials said.

Shops and the main bazaar in Miranshah re-opened on Tuesday, an AFP reporter said.