At least six militants were killed and a security official injured in an operation conducted by security forces in Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday.
Three of those killed were suicide bombers and blew themselves up when cordoned off by the forces, official sources said.
During the operation, 10 militants were arrested following an exchange of fire in Zar Kani, Gara Manda, Kot Sultan and Daraban areas. Among those taken into custody, three were militants while other seven were suspects, sources said.
A curfew has been imposed in these areas till 6am on Wednesday as a search operation went underway.