Seven militants were killed and two others injured when Pakistani security forces used gunship helicopters and artillery to target Taliban [Images] positions near Kohat town in the troubled North West Frontier Province today.

The troops also arrested five militants and freed four hostages being held by the Taliban. The operation against the militants was launched at the request of local administration, a security official said.

Several militant hideouts were destroyed in the operation. Local residents said the troops and militants exchanged fire for several hours.

Kohat district is located near the tribal region of Darra Adam Khel, where the Taliban had been active in recent weeks. The Taliban in Darra Adam Khel had kidnapped and executed a Polish engineer after the government refused to accede to their demand to release some 60 arrested militants.

During the operation, the security forces also detained former lawmaker Mufti Ibrar Sultan, who belongs to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, for a few hours. He was freed after his party threatened to stage a protest, the official said.