ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistani security forces have rescued the kidnapped son of a top judge in a raid in country's restive north-west, the military said on Tuesday (July 19).

Mr Awais Ali Shah, a lawyer himself, was abducted last month from southern port city of Karachi.

Mr Shah was found in Tank, which lies close to Pakistan's lawless tribal region bordering Afghanistan where the military has been battling Taliban militants.

"Awais Shah son of Sindh Chief Justice recovered through an IBO (intelligence based operation) from custody of terrorists from near Tank, 3 terrorists killed," Pakistan army spokesman Lieutenant-General Asim Bajwa said on Twitter.

He added that Mr Shah would be reunited with his family later in the day.

Mr Shah was last seen in CCTV footage on June 21 shopping at a supermarket in Karachi's Defence Housing Society, an upscale neighbourhood.

The country's powerful and highly popular army chief General Raheel Sharif "commended" intelligence and security forces for "successful operation".

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also congratulated the Sidh High Court chief justice Sajjad Ali Shah on the recovery of his son and praised security forces.

"The Prime Minister lauded the role of intelligence agencies and security forces in recovering Mr Awais Shah and said that the professional and operational excellence of our security forces has made it possible for which they deserve immense appreciation," a statement issued by Mr Sharif's office said.