PESHAWAR: Air-strikes by security forces killed 122 suspected militants in two northwest tribal regions Saturday, an apparent intensification of efforts by the army to mop up Taliban fighters fleeing a military operation farther south.

The strikes were carried out in the Orakzai and Khyber tribal regions.

In Orakzai, some 54 militants were killed including two commanders, Syed Mohammad among them, during ongoing clashes in the Baizoti town area.

Another 60 extremists died in the Khyber tribal region when military jets pounded a hide-out the in Sra Walla area. The location was believed to be a gathering point for the Lashker-e-Islam insurgent group.

Sources said jets pounded the area twice ? once when local tribesmen were retrieving bodies from the rubble.

Military operation in Orakzai began in mid-March and so far about 350 militants have been killed there. Nearby Kurram tribal area has also witnessed fighting, while there have long been on and off operations against militants in Khyber.

All three regions are believed to have become key destinations for Pakistani Taliban militants fleeing an army offensive against their network in the South Waziristan tribal area.