Khyber Agency:  At least 12 militants were killed and several others injured in a clash and shelling of Gunship helicopters of Pakistani security forces during search operations in north western tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Sources said on Friday that five militants were killed and several others injured in a clash during search operation in Nala area of the Bara district of Khyber Agency. They added that seven militants were also killed and over a dozen injured when the gunship helicopters shelled in Central Kurram agency.

Two hideouts of the militants were also destroyed in the shelling, the sources said.

Pakistani security forces have been battling in the tribal region since 2008 against the anti-state actors, fighting under the banner of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).