Pakistani forces say 25 militants killed

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The Pakistani military, claiming a major victory in the violence-wracked northwest region, said its security forces killed 25 militants and arrested 40 more.

The security forces also seized large quantities of arms and ammunition during their operation in the Michini area, Dawn newspaper reported Tuesday. One policeman and two paramilitary soldiers died in the fighting, police said.

Malik Naveed, the provincial police chief, said the security forces control most of the insurgency-hit areas and the campaign was continuing to round up the militants.

Naveed said those killed included several foreigners, a term sometimes used to refer to al-Qaida loyalists. He said the operation was launched to retaliate against kidnappings and the killings of innocent people by Taliban militants, the report said.

Naveed was quoted as saying the Taliban had been taking hostages and occupying the homes of poor people.