At least 16 militants and three paramilitary troops were killed in clashes in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region, an army spokesman said on Wednesday.

Military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan said fighting broke out in the Shawaal area of North Waziristan after " miscreants" attacked a paramilitary post on Tuesday night.

Shawaal, a moorland area is located 50 kilometers west of Miranshah, the center of North Waziristan tribal agency.

Eight militants were killed on Tuesday night and eight more on Wednesday, Shaukat Sultan said, adding that 15 militants also surrendered after the army intercepted them when they tried to flee.

The security forces launched operation when the militants fired rockets on a fort of the security forces in Shawaal area, killing several soldiers, he said.

Another attack took place in Datta Khel area, some 12 km of Miranshah, when nine rockets were fired on a camp of the security forces, injuring two personnel, the spokesman said.

He added that the security forces also used gun-ship helicopters to hit vehicles of the miscreants who were trying to flee after the attacks.

Tension ran high in North Waziristan after the security forces launched operation against al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects on March 1.

The military said that some 150 militants have been killed since the fresh operation has been launched in North Waziristan. Around ten soldiers have also died in clashes.

Source: Xinhua