PESHAWAR: At least six militants were killed on Saturday in Khyber Agency as operation 'Khyber 1' entered into its second day.

Official sources said security forces advancing in Sipah, Malikdinkhel and Akakhel areas engaged in clashes with militants.

As the operation Khyber 1 progressed, a key Lashkar-i-Islam commander Malam, along with his 80 fighters, laid down arms and surrendered to the authorities.

The information, however, could not be independently verified as journalists have limited access to the tribal agency.

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Sipah is a known stronghold of Lashkar-i-Islam while Akakhel and Malikdinkhel too have a sizable presence of militant elements.

These advancements by the army comes as part of the ongoing military operation Zarb-i-Azb which was initiated on June 15 against anti-state militants hiding in the North Waziristan Agency. The action was recently expanded to parts of Khyber.

Khyber is one of Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous regions governed by tribal laws and lies near the Afghan border. The Taliban and other Al Qaeda-linked groups who stage attacks in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are also known to have strongholds in the zone.