Islamabad: Helicopter gunships attacked the hideouts of Islamist militants in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan, killing at least 28 rebels in overnight action, security officials said on Thursday.

The bombardment came hours after a pro-government tribal elder, Malik Guli Shah, and his two guards were shot dead by gunmen in the Khyber district.

'Our three helicopters engaged several positions of Lashkar-e-Islam in the Sandapal and Akakhel areas of Tira Valley (Khyber district) late Wednesday,' said Wajid Ali, a spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps.

'According to our information, 28 terrorists including an important commander died and around a dozen more were injured. Five vehicles used by the insurgents were also destroyed,' he added.

Lashkar-e-Islam is a Taliban group led by the warlord Mangal Bagh, who is also believed to be behind attacks on the NATO supply route running through the mountainous district and strikes on Pakistani security personnel in the area.

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