Islamabad, Dec 20 (IANS): At least five militants were killed Saturday when security forces hit militant hideouts in the restive northwest region, officials said.

Police and paramilitary soldiers raided suspected hideouts in Peshawar during which five militants including a local commander were killed, The New International reported citing a security official.

"Five terrorists were killed in a raid on their hideout in Gujjar Gadi neighbourhood of Matni, around 16 miles south of Peshawar," he said.

The killed terrorists included Mustafa alias Mannan, brother of a terrorist named Umar who was involved in the attack on Army Public School in Peshawar. He was a key commander in Darra Adam Khel.

One of the terrorists was identified as Hidayat aka Salim while the identity of the remaining militants could not be ascertained yet.

The incident was confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The army has been waging a major offensive against Taliban and other militant strongholds in the restive tribal areas on Afghan border for the last six months.

But a series of fresh strikes after Tuesday's Peshawar attack, which left more than 141 people dead -- most of them children, suggest the military is stepping up its campaign.

As Peshawar tragedy unfolded, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif said the attack had renewed the forces' determination to push for the militants' "final elimination".