ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistani troops backed by artillery and aircraft attacked two suspected terrorist hideouts near the rugged Afghan border on Saturday, security officials said.

The attack was launched near Shakai in the South Waziristan tribal region, scene of several military counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida fugitives and renegade tribesmen in the recent months.

Pakistan army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said that Pakistani troops on Saturday exchanged fire with "foreign miscreants" who had suffered casualties, but he had no details. He denied a major new military operation was underway.

An intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity in the capital Islamabad, said the troops had surrounded two hideouts of foreign terrorists and their local supporters who had reportedly used light weapons to attack the army.