Islamabad, July 10: At least 25 militants including a Taliban commander have been killed as Pakistan’s military jets continue to pound the militants’ hideouts in the Orakzai tribal region.
According to a local TV channel, security forces launched attacks on Friday backed by gunship helicopters and fighter jets on the hideouts of militants in Nandarmela and Kot Taley regions of Orakzai agency near the Pak-Afghan border, killing 25 militants and injuring 21 others, a Press TV correspondent reported.
The air strikes also killed a key Taliban commander, identified as Wasi-ur-Rehman.
The air blitz caused heavy losses and destroyed three militants’ hideouts.
Meanwhile, a security official told AFP that three Pakistani soldiers were killed during the clashes with Pakistani Taliban in the area.
“Militants attacked an army patrol in Makeen district of South Waziristan area late Friday in which three soldiers were killed and eight wounded,” the security official said.
Troops claim to have secured most of central and lower Orakzai and are currently battling against militants holed up in upper Orakzai.
This is while violence has been on the rise in Pakistan, claiming the lives of hundreds civilians since the start of the year.
Since July 2007, more than 4,000 people have been killed in militant attacks throughout the country.
—-Agencies