Pakistan military's media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces have raided militant hideouts setting off a shootout that left seven soldiers and nine militants dead.

In a statement Saturday, the military said the operation was carried out in the Gharlamai and Spera Kunar Algad areas of North Waziristan near the border with Afghanistan.

According to ISPR, an army captain was among those killed. The military provided no details about the militants killed.

Pakistan has carried out a number of military operations in North Waziristan in recent years and claims to have eliminated militant safe havens.