Islamabad  - Pakistani security forces and an anti-Taliban tribal militia killed at least 28 militants during the last 24 hours in the country's north-western region, officials said Wednesday.

A military statement said 20 "terrorists" were killed during a search operation in Galgut area of Dir distict, where government forces launched an operation to expel Taliban in late April.

Sixteen more militants were apprehended, while a cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered.

The military is being assisted by a tribal militia, locally known as lashkar, that was formed in June when a suicide bomber killed dozens of people at a mosque in Upper Dir.

Local police chief Ijaz Ahmad said the lashkar, that consists of some 3,000 tribal fighters, killed six Taliban and destroyed several of their hideouts.

Pakistani troops have provided air and artillery assistance whenever needed to the militia that has successfully evicted militants from 20 villages, killing several dozen of them. The militia is also surrounding three more villages Taliban fighters are holed up.

The operation in Dir was expanded to three neighboring districts, including Swat valley, in early May when Islamist insurgents failed to observe the terms of a peace deal and instead used the accord to move dangerously close to Islamabad.

In Swat, the troops acted on a tip-off by locals and killed an important commander, Qari Juaid, and his accomplices who were hiding in a house. One militant was arrested.

The rebels fired on a security communication maintenance party in Fatehpur, another area in Swat, injuring one soldier.

The military assault in Swat and nearby areas has so far eliminated more than 1,450 Taliban fighters, while some 120 soldiers lost their lives in what is perceived a fight for Pakistan's survival.

But the conflict, that has been welcomed by Washington and other Western capitals, has displaced some 2.5 million people. Media reports have also suggested huge civilian losses altough no official confirmation is available.(dpa)