At least 34 suspected militants were killed in clashes in northwest Pakistan's Waziristan tribal areas, while the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed to have killed 45 security personnel, a local TV channel reported Tuesday.

Gunship helicopters pounded militant hideouts in South Waziristan, killing at least 26 suspected militants while injuring several others, the private Dawn News said in a report.

According to official sources, the security forces targeted hideouts in the Spina Tigha and Makeen areas of South Waziristan.

In the neighboring North Waziristan, eight suspected militants were killed in clashes with the security forces in the Razmak area. Sources said a security check post in Upper and Lower Kofar in North Waziristan came under attack by some 600 militants.

In the ensuing clashes eight suspected militants were shot dead.

Meanwhile, the TTP spokesperson Azam Tariq said the Taliban killed at least 45 security personnel in the attack.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2009)