PESHAWAR, Pakistan: As many as 20 militants were killed when aerial strikes were conducted by Pakistani armed forces in various areas of Khyber agency near the Afghan border on Saturday.
In a statement, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that at least 15 militants were killed when Pakistani military fighter jets pounded hideouts of the insurgent group in Rajgal area of Khyber tribal region.
Earlier in the day, air strikes hit the militants’ hideout in Tirah valley of Khyber agency, killing at least five insurgents and leaving further three injured.
However, the identity of the deceased militants have not been ascertained yet as the ISPR only released the number of the killed militants and strike-hit areas.
The strikes are part of the military operation being conducted against various militant outfits in the tribal region.
The armed forces in June last year began its operation in North Waziristan and later stretched it to nearby Khyber agency with an aim to end militancy in the country.
So far, according to military sources, the operation has yielded positive results and a number of militants including some commanders have been killed.