Islamabad, Sep 8 (IANS): At least five members of a local pro-government peace committee were killed by unknown militants in Pakistan's northwestern tribal area of Khyber Agency late Monday, local media reported.

Dawn news reported that the militants abducted the peace committee members on Sunday and later shot them dead in Qambal Khel area of Khyber Agency, a semi-autonomous tribal area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, but militants from outlawed organisation Lashkar-i-Islam (LA) were believed to be the key suspects as they were giving threats to the victims for their loyalties to the state, said the report.

The LI was one of the major militant groups in Khyber Agency which had strong hold in Qambal Khel area before the on-going military operation in the agency.

The group's influence in the area has been reduced to great extent after the military took hold of major area in the agency, but they still carry out sporadic attacks on security forces and peace militiamen.

Security forces kicked off search operation in the area after the incident.