Pakistan's security forces have arrested about 168 foreign militants from the northwestern tribal regions in the past two days, military sources said on Saturday.

The foreign militants have been arrested from Darra Adamkhel of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and other tribal regions, said a military statement.

The security forces arrested 38 foreigners, who were riding three vehicles, from check-posts set up in NWFP capital Peshawar and Darra Adamkhel.

Besides, 30 more militants were arrested from various parts of the NWFP, and Uzbeks and Afghans were among the arrested.

The foreign militants, who are believed to enter Pakistan through porous Pakistan-Afghanistan border, have been involved in the increasing Taliban insurgency in Pakistan's tribal regions.

The Pakistani army is intensifying its military operation against militants in Bajaur tribal agency and NWFP's Swat valley.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2008)