Airstrikes, gun battle kills 60 militants in Pakistan

PESHAWAR: About 60 militants were killed in airstrikes by Pakistan military and a gun battle that ensued after terrorists attacked army check posts in the volatile northwest tribal region, officials said today.

The militants attacked the check posts in Shindara and Khazana Kandao in Orakzai Agency near the Afghan border early this morning and Pakistani troops repulsed the assault, killing 20 militants and injuring 20 others.

At least four soldiers were also injured in the shootout. They have been brought to Peshawar for treatment.

Meanwhile, 39 militants, including two terrorist commanders, were killed in airstrikes by Pakistani fighter jets in the restive Dattakhel area.

"Yesterday Dattakhel strikes; Took out huge UG ammo depot, explosions heard even by pilots. Death toll rises to 39 incl 2 Terrorist comds," military spokesman Asim Bajwa tweeted.

Also yesterday, hundreds of terror suspects were arrested across Pakistan while 10 unregistered religious seminaries were sealed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as the the government stepped up its offensive against militants.

Orakzai is one of Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where militants linked to Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaeda are believed to have their stronghold.