40 militants killed in Pakistan

At least 40 militants were killed when helicopters gunships pounded their hide outs in a Pakistani tribal area, officials said Saturday.

Security forces launched a search operation in Mohmand tribal district, next to the border with Afghanistan, after co-ordinated insurgent attacks on five checkposts Friday in which 11 paramilitary soldiers were killed.

At least 24 militants had already been killed in Friday's fighting.

"Since yesterday Pakistani security forces helped by helicopter gunships carried out raids on suspected militant hideouts and killed 40 militants," Mohmand's top administration official Amjad Ali Khan told AFP.

A senior security official and local military officials confirmed the militant toll. The operations took place in Baizai and Lakro villages, they said.