Pakistani fighter planes Saturday killed at least 30 Taliban-linked militants in South Waziristan tribal region, the army said.

"In Shawal mountains in South Waziristan agency 30 terrorists have been killed by security forces through strike this morning," said an army statement.

"Hideout in Shawal mountains was targeted after a tip received that terrorists are hiding in the Shawal mountains," the text message from the army spokesman said.

Pakistani forces launched major ground operation in South Waziristan tribal region in October last year, killings hundreds of militants.

Most of the militants are believed to have fled South Waziristan after the operation and moved to the neighboring North Waziristan and Orakzai tribal region.

The fighting had displaced thousands of people from Waziristan and the army chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani said earlier this month that repatriation of the displaced people will begin in March.