The Pakistan army says it has killed 15 militants and detained 60 others in a five-day military operation in part of the troubled northwest.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said Sunday that five troops have been wounded in the fighting near the town of Hangu. He said helicopter gunships were providing cover for troops on the ground.

The military began the operation Wednesday, three days after armed supporters of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud killed 17 troops in an ambush. Five militants were also killed in that clash.