At least 11 civilians, mostly volunteer fighters aiding the army, have been killed by terrorists in northern Burkina Faso, locals and security officials told AFP on Thursday.

The attack on Wednesday was claimed by an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group, which said it had "taken control of a military post belonging to the Burkinabe armed fighters", without providing details.

"Yesterday at around 3:00pm (1500 GMT) heavily armed terrorists on motorcycles carried out an attack in the town of Bagare," in the northern province of Passore, a local resident said.

"The gunfire lasted over an hour and the terrorists set fire to dozens of shops, vehicles and motorcycles," they added.

'Counter-attack succeeds against enemy'

"The damage is significant but we especially mourn the loss of life among the VDP, who were directly targeted by the attackers," another resident said, in reference to the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland.

A regional security source confirmed the attack to AFP, saying: "The VDP post was indeed targeted by the terrorists but the counter-attack succeeded in routing the enemy."

One resident said people from surrounding villages had sought refuge in Bagare, before it was attacked on Wednesday.

Burkina Faso beefs up security

On Tuesday, the government launched a military operation aimed at boosting security across Burkina.

It also tightened security in the capital, Ouagadougou.

The moves came after terrorists and Tuareg-led separatists carried out coordinated attacks in neighbouring Mali.