"All foreign militants should leave Pakistan, otherwise they would be crushed," he said in Lahore [Images] yesterday amidst escalating violence perpetrated by al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in the tribal region.

Addressing a convention organised by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q, (PML-Q) to commemorate 100 years of the party as well as Pakistan's National Day, he said the presence of foreign elements is in violation of the country's sovereignty, and those who were supporting terrorism or involved in terrorist activities had no place in the country.

'Pakistan should sever ties with Islamic groups'

However, he also said he would not permit the militaries of other countries to launch operations against the militants.

Foreign military forces would not be allowed to operate against terrorists on the Pakistani soil as it was the sole responsibility of the country's own forces, he said, urging the people to support the government and the armed forces in combating terrorism and extremism and ensuring peace in the country.

According to Pakistani security officials, over 400 foreign fighters of al-Qaeda and Taliban were present in the remote Waziristan tribal agency.

Musharraf's warning came a day before Pakistani security forces backed by helicopter gunships pounded militant hideouts in North Waziristan region, killing 18 pro-Taliban militants after rebels attacked a paramilitary post leaving a soldier dead.

We can influence, not control, militants: Pakistan

A military operation was launched in the Datta Khel area Friday after suspected militants attacked a Pakistani paramilitary post in the region, killing a soldier and injuring five others.

Security forces used artillery and gunship helicopters to target the hideouts of the suspected militants.

The military acted on intelligence reports indicating that militants had gathered there with a large cache of arms and ammunitions, TV channels reported.

North Waziristan region has this month witnessed some of the fiercest clashes between security forces and militants since 2004, especially in the towns of Miranshah and Mir Ali, where over a hundred militants and five soldiers have died.

The India-Pakistan peace process | More reports from Pakistan