Pakistan: 18 militants killed, seven hideouts destroyed in airstrikes

Islamabad: At least 18 militants were killed on Tuesday during airstrikes in Pakistan’s Khyber and North Waziristan tribal regions, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. [caption id=“attachment_1670787” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AP[/caption] The strikes were carried out in the Kokikhel area of Tirah Valley in Khyber and in the North Waziristan tribal area, Dawn online reported. According to the ISPR, seven militant hideouts were also destroyed during the airstrikes. The strikes come as military operation Zarb-i-Azb is under way in the North Waziristan tribal region. The operation was launched on 15 June following a brazen militant attack on Karachi’s international airport and failure of peace talks between the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Nearly a million people have fled the offensive in North Waziristan, which is aimed at wiping out longstanding militant strongholds in the area, which borders Afghanistan. IANS