At least 1,244 militants have been killed and 92 others including militant commanders were arrested in the ongoing military operation in Northwest Pakistan, Interior Ministry officials said on Tuesday.

Giving briefing to the National Assembly standing committee on defense, the interior and defense ministries said armed forces wiped out the extremists leadership on second and third tiers.

At least 79 military personnel were killed in clashes with militants, while 276 others received injuries.

The security forces initiated the offensive against militants in some parts of North West Frontier Province in late April after Taliban militants refused to vacate Buner district as promised and challenged the writ of the government.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2009)