PESHAWAR: Pakistani security forces killed at least 12 militants on Friday in a restive tribal region near the Afghan border, the paramilitary Frontier Corps said.

The troops carried out the operation against militants in the Michni area of Mohmand tribal region.

"Twelve militants were killed and four of their hideouts destroyed during the operation," the Frontier Corps said in a statement. "The troops also seized heavy arms, ammunition and explosives during the operation."

Pakistan's lawless semi-autonomous northwest tribal belt has become a stronghold for hundreds of extremists who fled Afghanistan after the US-led invasion toppled the Taliban in late 2001.

The Pakistani military in late April launched a major offensive against the Taliban in the northwest, targeting rebels in the districts of Swat, Buner and Lower Dir after the insurgents advanced close to the capital Islamabad.

Last month the military claimed to have cleared the area of the Taliban threat, and vowed to turn their attention to the mountainous tribal belt along the Afghan border.