Islamabad, Jan 22 (IANS): At least 36 foreign militants besides key Pakistan Taliban commanders were among the over 40 militants killed in an operation launched by Pakistani security forces in the country's northwestern tribal region.

Some key Taliban commanders, 33 Uzbeks and three Germans were killed in a counter-offensive of the armed forces Tuesday in North Waziristan, a tribal region bordering Afghanistan, Xinhua reported.

The majority of the killed terrorists were foreigners, while some of the key commanders of the banned Tahrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) including Wali Mohammad, Ismat Shaheen Batni, Noor Badshah and Maulvi Farhad Uzbek were also killed, the sources told media persons.

There were no further details about the foreign militants killed in the operation.

Pakistan's armed forces, including its air force, launched a coordinated operation in North Waziristan and adjoining tribal areas Tuesday, killing over 40 terrorists.

The army's gunship helicopters and jet fighters of Pakistan Air Force heavily pounded the militants' hideouts in the operation.

The retaliation by the armed forces started after Pakistan Taliban's suicide attack on security forces in northwestern district of Bannu Sunday that killed 23 personnel, and a suicide attack near army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi Monday that killed over 13 people, including eight army personnel.