PESHAWAR: Atleast 16 millitants were killed in an attack by security forces in the Uper Orakzai and Khyber Agency on Tuesday.

Ten ‘militants’ were killed when fighter jets pounded suspected insurgent hideouts in Orakzai tribal region’s Mamozai, Jandarkhel and Samaa Bazaar areas.

The bombardment destroyed three suspected militant hideouts.

Security officials also added that they began a military operation in Central Kurram Agency and Upper Orakzai Agency and have cleared most of the area of militants.

In another attack by airforce jets, five suspected militants were killed in the Khyber tribal region’s Tirah valley area.

The casualty figures from the reported action could not be independently verified.

Pakistan’s seven tribal districts near the Afghan border are rife with homegrown insurgents and are alleged to be strongholds of Taliban and al Qaeda operatives.

Militants have killed more than 4,800 people across Pakistan since July 2007. (Agencies)