Pakistan kills 22 militants in airstrikes in North Waziristan tribal region

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani army jets pounded a militant hideout in the troubled North Waziristan tribal region along the Afghan border, killing at least 22 terrorists.

The overnight strikes were launched in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan tribal region where Pakistan unleashed a military operation in June last year to flush out terrorists from the area.

Twenty two militants were killed in the airstrikes, the army said in a statement that

Pakistan, which launched Zarb-e-Ab military operation in the North Waziristan, claims that most of area has been cleared of militants. It also says that more than 1,500 rebels were killed the offensive that is still going on in selective area.

Elsewhere, seven security personnel were injured when militants attacked a check post in in Lahda area of South Waziristan.

A security official that the forces killed eight militants in retaliatory firing. Azam Tariq, a Taliban spokesperson, claimed responsibility for the attack.