65 Militants Killed in Pakistan Military Offensive in North Waziristan

At least 65 militants were killed today as Pakistani air force jets pounded Taliban hideouts in the restive North Waziristan tribal region, where the military is mounting a major offensive against the Taliban militants.

The latest strikes targeted militants in the northwest of Datta Khel valley and a village of Shawal area, destroying five hideouts of rebels, military said in a statement.

Thirty militants were killed in Shawal valley, it said. In separate air strikes in the morning, 35 terrorists were killed and three hideouts destroyed in Datta Khel.

The death toll could not be verified through independent sources as the area is out of reach of free media.

The military launched operation 'Zarb-e-Azb' in June to eliminate local and foreign militants from their bases in the North Waziristan, one of seven semi-autonomous tribal districts.

Six militants, one soldier and a civilian staffer of army were killed in the area on Tuesday after a shootout between the security forces and the militants.

So far more than 950 militants have been killed since the operation was started.