Islamabad, March 19 (IANS) At least 21 militants were killed in a clash with tribesmen in northwest Pakistan, sources said Friday.

Xinhua news agency reported that during a Jirga (tribal council meeting) Thursday in Nekah Ziarat area of Kurram tribal agency, pro-government tribesmen opened fire on militants of the Pakistani Taliban, killing 21 and injuring several more.

The Taliban militants have an active presence in Pakistan's northwest where the security forces regularly conduct search and clearance operations in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.