Up to 54 people were killed in clashes between militants and security forces in Northwest Pakistan's tribal area on Sunday, the official Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Some 18 militants were killed and 12 injured in an exchange of fire, which took place near Hasu Khel in North Waziristan. Meanwhile, as many as 10 security forces persons lost their lives in the exchange of fire and 10 are wounded.

In another development earlier, the security forces carried out an operation on suspected hideout of militants near Mir Ali in North Waziristan, leaving 20 militants dead and 15 others injured. Six security personnel were killed and six others sustained injuries in the cross firing.

The operation was carried out in retaliation to the attacks of improvised explosive device, ambush and firing incidents launched by militants on the security forces during the last few days.

The army spokesman, Major General Waheed Arshad, on Sunday denied reports of the fresh kidnapping of 28 soldiers in North Waziristan and described it as propaganda from the "miscreants".

The law and order situation in the northwestern tribal areas worsened after militants in North Waziristan scrapped a peace deal with the government in July. Frequent clashes between militants and security forces left over 300 people dead in the area since mid-July.

(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2007)