Fifteen foreign and local militants were killed when Pakistani helicopter gunships bombed their hideout in the restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan early on Saturday, the military said.

"The military launched the operation after information was received that the militants were using a compound for attacks on army convoys," Army spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said.

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The operation was conducted at Drabluki village in Datta Khel region, some 40 km from Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan tribal region.

"According to our information, some 15 local and foreign militants were killed," Sultan said.

The militants were planning attacks on military convoys, he told the private Geo TV. "We had been tracing out the hideouts they were using as their base," he said.

"Several security men were killed in recent attacks on their convoys," Sultan noted.

The spokesman did not give any details about the identity of the foreigners killed in the operation.

He said that no arrest was made during the operation. Locals said they saw four helicopters taking part in the operation.