Fifteen militants, including a key militant commander, and three security personnel have been killed in clashes in Pakistan's Kurram tribal region. On Saturday, Pakistani troops launched a pre-dawn assault on militant hideouts in Marghan, Dogar, Gawader, Zangey, and Terley, a Press TV correspondent reported, quoting a senior military official.
The official, who requested anonymity, said that security forces are facing stiff resistance from militants, but added that Pakistani troops have destroyed four of their hideouts and recovered a large amount of ammunition and explosives.
Dozens of militants have been killed and arrested since the start of the operation in Kurram Agency.
The militant commander, who was involved in a number of attacks, was on the police's wanted list.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that the military is shifting focus to the Kurram tribal area, where many militants have taken refuge after the operation in South Waziristan. Gilani also stated that the military operation against the Taliban in South Waziristan has ended.