Militants ambushed a Pakistani military convoy near the Afghan border on Wednesday, killing nine paramilitary soldiers and two officers, sources said, with the Pakistani Taliban claiming responsibility.

Axar.az informs roadside bombs hit the convoy before a large number of militants launched a gun attack in the northwestern district of Kurram, five Pakistan security officials told Reuters.

In a statement to a Reuters reporter the Pakistani Taliban said their fighters attacked the convoy.

In recent months, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, who want to overthrow the government and replace it with their hardline brand of Islamic governance, have stepped up attacks on Pakistani security forces.

Islamabad says the militants use neighboring Afghanistan to train and plan attacks against Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies.