Islamabad - Security forces have killed 10 fighters in an operation to eliminate Taliban militants from a troubled district in north-western Pakistan, the military said Friday.

Troops had been carrying out artillery and gunship attacks on the mountain hideouts of the militants since late Wednesday in the Hangu, where a deadly ambush left 17 paramilitary soldiers dead in the Zargari area last week.

"Ten militants have so far been killed in the offensive which will continue until the area is cleared of these elements," Pakistan Army's chief spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas said. Five soldiers were wounded in the fighting, he added.

Abbas said the military had secured the towns of Zargari and Gulistan, and was now flushing out the rebels, most of whom were believed to have fled to the neighbouring Orakzai agency.

Violence has swept through the Pakistan's tribal region and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in recent months after the government tried to clamp down on the militant onslaught amid growing international pressure. (dpa)