Pakistan Air Force fighter jets bombarded militant hideouts in TTP’s bastion in North Wazirstan, killing over 30 militants and destroyed arms and ammunition.
Islamabad, Feb 20/Nationalturk – After the killing of 13 policemen in suicide bombing and slaying of 23 soldiers by terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Pakistan Air Force Thursday launched aerial bombardment of militant hideouts in TTP’s bastion in North Wazirstan, killing over 30 militants and destroyed arms and ammunition.
Pakistan TV news channel Geo News quoted security sources as saying that PAF fighter jets pounded militant hideouts in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan as part of surgical strikes.
“In the aerial bombing, 15 militants including some foreigners were killed. The air strikes also destroyed the arms and ammunition kept in the hide-outs,” a security official said.
‘Air strikes focused on Mir Ali town’
The security official said the air strikes focused on the town of Mir Ali and surrounding areas of North Waziristan. “The airstrikes were carried out to target militant hideouts with precision”.
The security officials said five more militants were killed in air strikes in Shawal area of North Warizstan tribal agency.
They said the identity of the militants killed in these attacks is being ascertained through tribal sources.
Pakistan security officials said the first strike is believed to have killed commander Abdul Sattar when his compound was pounded by the jets followed by the series of strikes on Taliban hideouts.
The compounds of TTP commander Jihadyar and Abdul Razzak were also destroyed when fighter jets bombarded it. “15 militants were killed in the air strikes on the hideout”.
‘Security forces will respond to acts of terrorism’
Referring to today’s air strikes, Pakistan Defence Defence Khawaja Asif was quoted as saying by Pakistan newspaper Express Tribune that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure safety of the citizens.
“Armed forces and security agencies will respond to acts of terrorism in a befitting manner,” he said.
The air strikes came amid public anger against TTP for slaying 23 soldiers captured by them four years ago. The TTP militants have killed hundreds of civilians and security men after the newly elected PML-N government took over in Pakistan. The PML-N government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been favouring talks with TTP but the continuous bombings and terrorist acts are hampering their efforts. Pakistan government is presently also engaged in talks with TTP.
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Asia News/ NationalTurk Pakistan News
