Islamabad  - Pakistani troops on Friday killed 27 militants in the ungoverned north-western tribal district that borders Afghanistan, a security official said.

Fazal-ur-Rehman, a spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps, said in a press statement that helicopter gunships targeted various positions of Taliban fighters in Khyber district and inflicted heavy casulties on the rebels.

"Twenty-seven militants, including two commanders, died in an operation in Tirah valley of Khyber district," Rehman said. "Two hideouts, three caves and 19 vehicles including an explosive-laden vehicle were destroyed."

Pakistan has killed several dozens Islamist insurgents since September 1, when it launched a major offensive against them in Khyber, which lies on the main supply route for western troops into the landlocked Afghanistan.

The operation largely focuses on insurgents linked with Lashkar-e-Islam militant group that has close ties with Pakistani Taliban.

The Lashkar-e-Islami is believed to have facilitated the Taliban rebels who have carried out dozens of attacks on NATO convoys, disrupting the supplies several times only this year.  dpa