US missiles kill five in North Waziristan

"In Darra Adam Khel, at about midnight on Wednesday, 20 miscreants were killed during heavy exchange of firing with the Frontier Corps soldiers", release of FC NWFP Media Cell added.

Meanwhile, the militants fired rockets at a security forces checkpost, Chinaz near Tor Ghundai, injuring two security personnel.

The rockets were fired from Mullah Killi and area of Jaag in Bajaur Agency.

Moreover, the militants also fired several rockets at a security forces' camp in Khar, agency headquarters of Bajaur Agency. In the incident, three security forces personnel sustained injuries and were hospitalised.

Meanwhile, at least 17 militants were killed Thursday when troops backed by helicopter gunships destroyed rebel hideouts in Swat valley, the army said.

Gunships targeted the strongholds of fighters loyal to Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah in a follow-up to Wednesday's operation in the same region which killed 30 militants, an army spokesman said.

"Today troops backed by helicopter gunships killed at least 17 militants including three commanders of Fazlullah," Major Nasir Ali told AFP.