KHAR: Pakistani security forces killed 12 militants during a search operation in a troubled northwestern tribal region near the Afghan border, a government official said.

Tariq Khan said the insurgents were spotted and killed Friday in the Mamond area of the Bajaur tribal region.

He said the search was launched following intelligence reports that an unspecified number of insurgents had entered the region from Afghanistan to target tribal militiamen and troops deployed there.

Pakistan's army has carried out multiple operations against al Qaeda and Taliban fighters hiding in Bajaur, but the militants still manage to mount occasional attacks.