Islamabad, August 01 (QNA) - Pakistan's military said 12 suspected militants have been killed in two separate security operations in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the south-western province of Balochistan.

The army said five militants were apprehended during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan, where one army major was also killed in an exchange of fire.

In Nushki, Balochistan, security forces said they killed seven militants and seized weapons, explosives and improvised explosive devices.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his government is pursuing a strategy to eliminate banned militant groups.

The latest operations follow an army announcement on July 29 that 32 militants had been killed in security operations across the two provinces. (QNA)