Pakistani security forces Wednesday attacked a militant camp in a tribal region near the Afghan border, killing more than 25 'foreign and local miscreants,' said official sources.

Gunship helicopters were taking part in the operation in Danda Saidgey area in North Waziristan tribal region close to the Afghan border, local administrative chief Zaheer ul Islam said.

Danda Saidgey is located 15 km away from Miran Shah, the headquarters of North Waziristan.

Meanwhile, military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan also confirmed the operation, but said that exact casualty figures would be clear after the operation is completed.

Zaheer ul Islam said the security forces launched the operation after information about training camps of the foreign militants was received. He added that the forces have achieved success in the operation.

Local correspondents of Xinhua said that the gunship helicopters bombed a training camp at 7 AM local time and the ground forces moved into the area to hunt the remaining suspects.

Local TV channels reported that the training camp was completely destroyed and arms seized.

Pakistan has deployed some 80,000 troops in the Waziristan tribal region along its border with Afghanistan to hunt al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects.

The fresh operation was launched a couple of days ahead of US President George W. Bush's visit to Pakistan.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)