(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Seven terrorist dens also smashed in Waziristan; 400 militants 20 troops killed so far.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets bombed terrorist hideouts in a restive tribal area bordering Afghanistan and killed at least 13 militants on Tuesday the military said.
The strikes were carried out at Degan village a stronghold of Taleban militants in the North Waziristan tribal district.
“Seven terrorist hideouts were destroyed and 13 terrorists were killed including foreigners by jet aircraft strikes in Degan in North Waziristan Agency today” Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in statement.
Most of those killed were Uzbek militants the statement added.
According to ISPR operation in North Waziristan Agency is progressing as per plan.
North Waziristan Agency has been isolated by deploying troops along its border with neighboring agencies and Fata regions to block any move of terrorists in and out of the agency.
More than half a million civilians have fled the long-awaited offensive unleashed by the military against terrorists in the tribal area last month.
The military has vowed to wipe out the strongholds which insurgents have used to mount countless deadly attacks in recent years.
So far 399 militants and 20 soldiers have been killed in the offensive according to the military. The area is off-limits to journalists and the number and identity of the dead is impossible to verify.
The rugged mountainous area has been a hideout for years for Islamist militants of all stripes — including Al Qaeda and the homegrown Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan as well as foreign fighters including Uzbeks and Uighurs.
Meanwhile Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that at least 400 terrorists have so far been killed in the ongoing operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ military operation in North Waziristan.
In an interview Khawaja Asif said 20 soldiers embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.
The minister said he cannot give any timeframe for completion of the operation. However efforts will be made to finish it as early as possible.
Khawaja Asif who also holds portfolio of Water and Electricity minister said the government will not rest until the elimination of last terrorist from the country.
Khawaja said the government will take main political parties into confidence for eradication of terrorism and timely return and rehabilitation of the displaced people.
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