ISLAMABAD, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces killed four terrorists, including a key militant commander, during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, security sources said on Thursday.
The operation was conducted in North Waziristan district following intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the area, the sources told Xinhua.
The slain commander was involved in multiple attacks on security forces and civilians, and was carrying a bounty of 3 million rupees (about 10,700 U.S. dollars), the sources added.
The sources said the militant commander had established underground bunkers, tunnels, and explosive traps in the district to facilitate militant activities and evade security operations.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the militants killed during the operation, the sources added.
Pakistan's security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations in the country's northwestern tribal districts in recent months following a surge in militant attacks targeting security personnel and civilians. ■