Seven security personnel and 23 militants were killed in a gun-battle in Pakistan's north-western tribal region, near the Afghan border, on Monday.

The exchange of fire erupted when a group of militants ambushed a convoy of the paramilitary Frontier Corps at 7.30 am local time. Seven paramilitary personnel were killed, following which the troops retaliated. Twenty-three militants were killed in the firing, the army said in a statement.

"Intermittent fire continued, in which locals joined the security forces against the militants. A vehicle belonging to the militants was also destroyed," the statement said.

Military spokesman Major General Waheed Arsad said the situation in Mohmand Agency was under control. There were also reports that the security forces targeted militant positions with rockets and gunship helicopters.

Meanwhile, security forces killed several militants during an operation at Ummar Adda in the restive South Waziristan region. Thirty-one militants were also arrested and the Jamia Uloom-e-Sharia madrasa in the area was sealed because of the presence of militants in the seminary.