Islamabad, Ramadan 12, 1434, Jul 21, 2013, SPA - At least 22 militants and six soldiers were killed in an operation by Pakistani troops in the country's north-west tribal region, a military official said Saturday. The deaths came after an attack by regular and paramilitary soldiers was launched on Friday in the Zao Kharamtang area of Khyber, one of seven tribal districts where Taliban militants have hideouts. The militants were helped by local criminals involved in kidnapping, drug trafficking and gun-running, the official was quoted as saying by DPA. --SPA 12:08 LOCAL TIME 09:08 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1131029