Pakistani security forces killed 200 militants in a five-day operation in northwestern Pakistan's tribal area, an army statement said on Thursday.

 

A jirga told the military authorities that a total of 200 militants including 50 foreigners had been killed in North Waziristan since Sunday, the statement from the army's Inter-Services Public Relations said.

 

According to the statement, 25 militants were identified as Uzbek and another 25 were from Tajikistan, Afghanistan and of Arab descent.

 

The army also confirmed that it lost 50 soldiers in the clashes with militants.

 

Some militants on Sunday launched an attack on an army convey in Mir Ali, a major town in North Waziristan, triggering a large-scale operation from the security forces.

 

The security forces bombed the hideouts of suspected militants in the area with gunship helicopters.

 

The statement also said that security forces had turned down the request of ceasefire of militants as their demands could not be met.

 

Local people said that the authorities had imposed undeclared curfew in Mir Ali bazaar and the adjoining areas and had also closed roads, causing troubles for the people ahead of Eid festival.

 

The security situation in northwest Pakistan, especially the tribal areas, worsened after militants in North Waziristan scrapped a peace deal with the government in July.

 

The last three months witnessed tightened tension between militants and security forces in the area, leaving more than 500 people dead since July.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2007)