Pakistan security forces kill 19 in fighting

(CNN) -- Pakistani security forces killed 19 suspected terrorists and injured 12 more in a clash during maneuvers in the country's northwest regions, the military said Friday.

Government forces captured the western heights of the Maidan area of Khyber Agency, the military said.

The military also established a foothold on Mohammadi Top in Kurram Agency, officials said.

Residents in the areas have formed "Village Defence Committees to protect their villages against any counterattack by the terrorist(s)," the military said in a statement.