Islamabad, Sep 15 (IANS): Pakistani military gunship helicopters Monday pounded hideouts of suspected militants in North Waziristan tribal region, killing 15 of them, the military said.

"Today, Army Aviation Combat helicopters in precise strikes in Tabai area of North Wazirastan Agency destroyed 10 explosives-laden vehicles and five terrorist hideouts. Fiften terrorists were killed," Xinhua quoted an army spokesman as saying.

The airstrikes were part of the ongoing military offensive in North Waziristan launched in June this year. The military said security forces have killed over 1,000 Pakistani and foreign militants so far.

There has not been any independent confirmation of the casualties. The Taliban disputed the army's statement and insisted they have only lost around 30 fighters.

Meanwhile, a top American general met the Pakistan army chief and discussed security issues, including the military operation, the army said. The operation, code-named "Zarb-e-Azb", started after a rare peace dialogue failed with the Taliban.

Gen. John Campbell, commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Raheel Sharif at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, This is his first visit to the General Headquarters after assumption of command of the ISAF.

"During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed that included progress of the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb, latest situation in Afghanistan and coordination along Pakistan-Afghanistan border," an army statement said.

The ISAF commander's visit comes at a time when tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have increased over cross-border attacks and a statement by a Pakistani Taliban leader that he has ceased violence in Pakistan but would continue attacks in Afghanistan.

Asmatullah Muaweya, head of the Pakistani Taliban in Punjab province, said in a video message over the weekend that he would now focus on Islamic preaching instead of militancy.