Helicopter gunships belonging to Pakistan have pounded Taliban hideouts in the north-western tribal district, killing at least 13 militants.

The Taliban houses were in Ferozkhel, a village on in Orakzai region.

Officials have described the hideouts as militant training centres being run by Taliban commanders.

Pakistan has significantly increased operations against militants in its north-west and tribal belt, which is regarded by the US as being a breeding ground for al-Qaeda militants.

The rugged tribal terrain has been described as headquarters for the hundreds of extremists who fled neighbouring Afghanistan when the US invaded in late 2001.