ISLAMABAD, May 3 (Xinhua) -- A Pakistani military officer said that 80 militants have been killed in an operation in northwestern Pakistan's Buner district, private TV channel Geo reported on Sunday.

    The Geo quoted operational Commander Brigadier Fayyaz as saying that 21 suicide attackers' attempt to assault security forces at Ambila in the district was foiled.

    The commander also confirmed that the Daggar and adjoining areas have been wiped out of miscreants, while operation against Taliban has been planned at other places in the area.

    He said that only three security men were martyred and six were injured in operation.

    Pakistan army launched an operation in Buner district on Tuesday afternoon as Taliban militants, according to a statement of the army, were still holed up in the district despite their earlier announcement of evacuation.

    Abbas said some 450 to 500 militants were present in different parts of Buner district.

    The Taliban in early April entered Buner district from the restive Swat valley and set up checkpoints and patrolled the area.

    The Taliban pledged to withdraw from the district as the security forces were dispatched to the Buner District.

    Local press quoted Taliban as saying that they intended to enforce Shariah, or Islamic law in the area, without any plan to control more areas in the country.

    The North West Frontier Province government struck a deal with a outlawed group on enforcing Shariah in Malak and Division where Swat valley was located. Taliban announced ceasefire in favor of the peace deal.