At least 24 suspected Taliban fighters have been killed in Pakistan's northwest, security officials said yesterday, with battles erupting in Swat valley and the lawless tribal belt.

Security forces launched an offensive against Islamists in northwest Swat in May under US pressure after militants violated a peace deal and thrust south towards Islamabad, and say they have almost secured the mountain region.

But the military has reported two dozen alleged militants killed In a recent upsurge In fighting in Swat, while air strikes continued In the tribal region ahead of a full-scale assault againstTaliban chief Baitullah Mehsud.

"Security forces engaged terrorist hideouts at Tillgram," a military statement said, referring to a town about 15 kilometres (nine miles) northeast of Swat's main town Mingora.

"Fourteen terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire," it said, adding that explosives

and ammunition were seized In the area.

Four soldiers were also wounded in combat in Swat over the last 24 hours, it added, casting doubt on military assertions that swathes of the region were safe for many of the two million people displaced by the fighting to return.

Death tolls released by Pakistan arc impossible to confirm Independently because fighting takes place in closed military zones. Ten rebels had been reported killed in air strikes in Swat on Sunday.

In the tribal belt Monday -- where the military is carrying out near-daily air strikes ahead of a fresh offensive - - seven militants were killed and 12 wounded in attacks by fighter jets in North Waziristan.

"Seven militants were killed and 12 injured when jet fighter planes pounded Taliban hide outs at Madda Khcl and Wuchabibi,’ an intelligence official based in North Waziristan's main town Miranshah told AFP

A military source in the region confirmed the attacks and death toll.