Islamabad, Oct 24 : At least 21 militants were killed in fighting with the security forces in Pakistan's South Waziristan region, officials said Saturday.

In the past 24 hours till Saturday evening, the security forces killed 21 militants before taking control of Kotkai town, said Ather Abbas, director general of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Three soldiers were also killed in the operation, Xinhua reported.

Pakistani Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said Kotkai town was the main hub of the Taliban.

The terrorist network in Kotkai, hometown of Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud, has been completely dismantled, Kaira said in a joint press conference with Abbas here Saturday. (IANS)