Eight suspected terrorists including three Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commanders were killed in two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted by security forces in the North Waziristan tribal district, the military's media wing said on Saturday.

The separate IBOs were carried out on terrorist hideouts in Boya and Dosali areas of North Waziristan, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.

Besides the eight militants, the three terrorist commanders killed during the exchange of fire were Abdul Aneer alias Adil (TTP Toofan group), Junaid alias Jamid (TTP Tariq group) and Khaliq Shadeen alias Rehan (TTP Sadiq Noor group), the ISPR said.

"These terrorists remained involved in terrorist activities against security forces, law enforcement agencies and locals of the area since 2009 including IED (improvised explosive device) attacks, firing, target killing, kidnapping for ransom and extortion," the press release added.

It said the slain militants were also involved in recruiting terrorists in the area.

Security forces recovered a "huge cache of arms" from the hideouts.

Last month, four women aid workers were gunned down in the Mirali area of North Waziristan, as a fresh wave of extremist violence rattled the region.

The tribal areas along the Afghan border remain notorious for the availability of cheap guns, narcotics and smuggled goods.

Attacks have decreased in recent years following a series of military offensives against homegrown and foreign militants.

In 2014, the army launched a massive operation to wipe out militant bases in North Waziristan aimed at ending a near decade-long insurgency that cost thousands of lives.

But militant groups are still able to carry out sporadic, isolated assaults.

A recent surge in attacks targeting security forces along the Afghan border has sparked fears that these groups may be regrouping.