ISLAMABAD: After being convinced by the top military leadership of Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave a go ahead for the airstrikes in North Waziristan and Khyber agencies that killed at least 35 suspected militants, highly placed credible sources told Dawn.com.

High level civil military consultations continued for three days which culminated on these strikes, they said.

Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and intelligence heads briefed the prime minister over rapid developments in the tribal areas and also shared images of militant hideouts procured through their own spy drones.

Authorisation of the premier was sought for more strikes at other locations, which according to the sources has been granted.

In last night’s airstrikes in Mir Ali, 16 Uzbek terrorists were also killed while identification process of the other dead was underway.

There is no presence of military in Mir Ali where fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force were used to destroy the hideouts.

According to military sources, in airstrikes in Khyber Agency earlier today, seven terrorists, including three suicide bombers and a key Taliban commander, were killed.