The Taliban abducted the security personnel on Saturday after an exchange of fire in Mohmand Agency, assistant administrative officer Rasool Khan said.

Local residents found the bullet-riddled bodies of the security men in the mountainous areas of Omar Banda and Ayesha Kuroona on Sunday. The security forces collected the bodies, Khan said.

The security forces also launched a major operation against those responsible for killing the security personnel, witnesses said.

Troops blocked all roads in the area and initiated a search to catch the militants.

Mohmand Agency is located near the restive Bajaur tribal region. Security officials believe the Taliban sneaked into Mohmand Agency after the army expelled them from Bajaur, where the army claims to have killed over 1,500 militants.

In January, security forces launched a major offensive against militants in Mohmand Agency. The army has claimed it has killed around 60 militants in the area. The Taliban in Mohmand Agency are led by Omar Khalid.