"People should not side with foreign militants," he said.

Many foreign militants also use the province to go back and forth between the 3 nations.

Before that, Pakistani officials had stated that there were no foreign militants in the region.

There may have been one or two more foreign militants killed as well, he said.

Pakistan, however, has in recent months stepped up military pressure on foreign militants who have sought shelter near the Afghan border.

Iraq has also become something of a magnet for Syrian and other foreign militants who want to attack Americans.

He put the number of foreign militants in the whole of the tribal areas at "100, plus or minus."

At first the foreign militants, bringing money and arms, were welcomed by tribesmen.

They say 70 to 80 foreign militants remain, as opposed to earlier estimates of up to 500.

Officials said under the deal, five wanted members of the tribe would give up resistance, deny shelter to the foreign militants and promise good conduct.