Islamabad: Pakistan's 'Quick reaction Forces' wrapped up a major offensive against the al-Qaida in the rugged tribal area near Afghan border killing eight militants and capturing 18 of the terror network even two soldiers were killed the operations.

"The operation has ended successfully after our forces either killed or captured all the militants holed up in the area," Pakistan's Defence spokesman, Maj Gen Shoukat Sultan told the official media.

He said eight al-Qaida militants were killed and 18 captured. Earlier reports on October 2 said that 12 militants were killed. Two Pakistani soldiers were killed and two injured in exchange of fire with the militants. "The purpose of the operation was to flush out the militants," he said.

All the arrested militants were foreigners, he said adding that they were being interrogated by Pakistan Army. Pakistan in the past has handed over the foreign militants to American forces, who shifted them to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

Gen Sultan however denied reports that any civilians were injured in the heavy exchange of fire between the Army and the al-Qaida militants. "No civilians including women and children were hurt in the operations. It was also accomplished with zero collateral damage," he claimed.

PTI