ISLAMABAD, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik confirmed on Saturday that three Tehreek-e-Taliban ( TTP) leaders were killed along with 30 other militants in the country's northwest.
The Taliban leaders were killed as helicopter gunships targeted their hideouts in Mohmand Agency.
Speaking to the private TV DawnNews, Malik said that other militants that are on the run will be captured and not spared.
Three top leaders of the Pakistani Taliban were killed by the security forces in a tribal region, local TV channels reported on Friday.
Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, deputy chief of the TTP, was among those killed in Mohmand tribal agency, the private Geo News reported.
Maulvi Faqir was based in Bajaur tribal area and is believed to have moved to Mohmand agency after the security forces took control of Bajaur near the Afghan border.
Qari Zia-ur-Rehman, who was leading militants in Bajaur in fight against the security forces, was also killed in the operation in Pandiali area of Mohmand agency, according to reports.
Both Maulvi Faqir and Qari Zia were wanted by the Pakistani government.
Another senior TTP commander Fateh was also reported killed in the operation, Geo reported while quoting sources as saying.
Analysts said that it would be a serious blow to the Pakistani Taliban and would be considered a big success for the security forces.
On Thursday, Pakistani security forces had also killed 30 militants in Mohmand agency.
