PESHAWAR: About 30 suspected terrorists were killed in targeted strikes by jet aircraft in Khyber Agency and North Waziristan early Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release.
At 2 AM, aircraft destroyed two hideouts close to the Pak- Afghan border in Khyber Agency killing 10 suspected terrorists. At 5 AM, three hideouts were destroyed in Hassu Khel in North Waziristan, killing 20 terrorists.
All strikes were made in areas where there is no civil population, the statement said.
Over 300 suspected militants have reportedly been killed in the Zarb-i-Azb operation launched a week ago.
Earlier today:
Army to donate salary to IDPs
The Pakistan army on Saturday announced that it will donate one day's salary to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan.
The ISPR spokesman made the announcement and said ration will also be donated to the displaced tribal people which will be enough to meet their needs for 30 days.
On the directives of the prime minister, the government decided to do away with the use of smart cards for the transfer of cash to IDPs of from North Waziristan.
PM house sources told dawn.com that all concerned agencies and departments have been directed to give cash relief to IDPs at check points.
Eight militants killed
Eight suspected militants were killed as jet fighters struck militant hideouts in the Koshali Torikhel and Zakar Khel villages of the Mir Tehsil in North Waziristan Agency Saturday morning as part of the ongoing Zarb-i-Azb operation.
Official sources said militant bases in Koshali Torikhel and Zakar Khel were hit, with two bases destroyed. They added that eight militants were also killed in the Saturday morning blitz.
While tribesmen have already left the Mir Ali tehsil, those staying behind to resist are militants or their supporters who are being chased and eliminated, a source told Dawn com.
The militants are mostly foreign fighters and those who harbour them, with some having fled to the thick forests in Shawal valley extending to South Waziristan Agency.
There are still some key resistance points where the fleeing militants have left some fighters who are planting mines to stop the advancement of security forces.
The Utmankhel Dawar and Wazir tribal elders have again pledged to flush out foreign fighters and assured the government that they will not allow these militants again in their areas.
3 killed, 6 injured in Khyber Agency strikes
As part of an earlier operation underway in parts of Fata, early Saturday strikes in Bara Malakdin Khel area of Khyber Agency killed three militants and injured six others.
Official sources said that the militants had occupied a government school in Malakdinkhel area of Bara which was targeted by the gunship helicopters in an attempt to destroy it.
A three-day curfew relaxation in North Waziristan ended on Friday and it is unclear if the relaxation would continue on Saturday.
According to a press release issued by the military on Friday, terrorist hideouts in Qutab Khel on the outskirts of Miramshah were destroyed.
Cobra gunships, artillery and snipers took coordinated action and 12 terrorists, including foreigners, were killed. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also destroyed.
The ISPR said terrorists inside cordoned areas were making desperate attempts to flee. “Six attempts were foiled last night.”
Three locals who did not have any proof of identity were apprehended while trying to flee from the cordon.
The press release said that 24 suspects who were trying to flee in the garb of IDPs had been apprehended at various posts in Mirali and Miramshah.