Friday, March 24 2006 15:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: In a pre-dawn operation, Pakistani security forces backed by helicopter gunships pounded rebel hideouts in the restive North Waziristan region, killing around 20 pro-Taliban militants.

The operation was launched after suspected militants attacked a paramilitary post in the region, killing one soldier and injuring five others.

"Around 15 to 20 miscreants were killed in the operation in Tut Narai area of North Waziristan launched at 3 a.m.," Army spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said.

Security forces used artillery and gunship helicopters to target the hideouts of the suspected militants.

"The militants abandoned arms while retreating in haste," Sultan said adding they left automatic weapons including rocket launchers.

Asked about the identity of the miscreants, the spokesman said they were a mix of foreigners and their local facilitators. "They belonged to the same group, who were involved in attacks on security forces and government buildings in North Waziristan."

The military acted on intelligence reports that militants had gathered there with a large cache of arms and ammunitions.