At least 10 paramilitary troops died in a clash and air strike at the Afghan border, Pakistani military officials say.

The fighting broke out late Tuesday after Pakistani forces reportedly tried to prevent security forces from Afghanistan from setting up a mountaintop post in a disputed frontier region.

A military official said the deadly exchange of gunfire and an air strike occurred in the Mohmand tribal region.

A second military official said the air strike was carried out by a drone launched from Afghanistan.

Both officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to comment to media before the military made a formal statement on the incident

Pakistan's Geo TV reported at least 13 Pakistani troops had died.