ISLAMABAD, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces killed 13 militants earlier in the week in two separate intelligence-based operations conducted in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Sunday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army, the first operation was carried out on Friday in the Mohmand district after reports indicated the presence of militants linked to a foreign-sponsored terrorist group.

Security forces engaged the suspected hideout, resulting in the killing of seven militants following an intense exchange of fire.

In a second intelligence-based operation conducted in the Bannu district of the province on Saturday, security forces killed six other militants, ISPR said.

The military added that clearance operations are ongoing in the affected areas to eliminate any remaining militants. ■