At least 15 militants were killed on Friday in clashes with security forces in the restive Khyber Agency, taking the total number of militants killed in three days of fighting in the tribal region to 45. Security forces pounded militant strongholds in the Tirah area of Khyber Agency and destroyed several camps, officials were quoted as saying by TV news channels. Fifteen militants were killed in fresh clashes while eight more died in fighting on Thursday. The troops also took control of several areas near Tirah that were earlier dominated by the militants. The militants were on the run and security forces had cordoned off the area and sealed key roads, officials said. Nearly 45 militants have been killed and 48 arrested since the security forces launched an operation against the banned Lashkar-e-Islam in Khyber Agency three days ago. The militants have also targeted army and Frontier Corps camps in the region located a short distance from the provincial capital of Peshawar.