Islamabad, August 08 (QNA) - Pakistan's military announced on Saturday that an army officer and seven militants were killed during a security operation in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan.

In a statement, the military said security forces conducted the operation on Friday in Hangu after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants, adding that seven were killed in an exchange of fire.

The forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the militants, noting that those killed had been involved in militant activities and attacks against security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as the killing of civilians.

The statement said the officer was killed while leading his troops and pursuing the militants. Following the operation, security forces launched a combing operation in the area to eliminate any remaining militants.

In a separate incident, security forces killed a senior commander of a militant group during an intelligence-based operation in the Jani Khel area of Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. (QNA)