PESHAWAR: At least 30 suspected militants were killed on Tuesday during airstrikes conducted by military fighter jets in the Dattakhel area of North Waziristan tribal Agency.

Security sources said that 30 militants, including two key commanders and several foreign fighters, were killed in the blitz which was carried out in a jungle situated in Dattakhel.

Two vehicles were also destroyed in the strikes.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the deaths of at least 17 suspected militants — many of whom were alleged to be foreign fighters.

Khyber clash

At least five suspected militants were killed and six others were wounded in a clash with security forces in the Akkakhel area of Khyber tribal region's Tirah Valley early on Tuesday.

Security sources said both sides used heavy weapons during the exchange of fire.

Checkpost attacked in Orakzai

At least twelve militants were killed as security forces repulsed an attack on a checkpost situated on the border with Tirah Valley in Orakzai Agency’s Shirin Dara area.

Security sources said that scores of militants attacked a security checkpost in Shirin Dara with heavy weapons but forces repulsed the offensive.

Sources added that at least 12 militants were killed in the retaliatory action by security forces and many others injured. The death toll is likely to rise.

The militants fled from the area leaving behind the bodies of their comrades.

The details could not be independently verified as access of mediapersons is restricted in the region.

Khyber and North Waziristan are included in Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous regions governed by tribal laws and lies near the Afghan border. The Taliban and other Al Qaeda-linked groups who stage attacks in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are also known to have strongholds in the zone.

The development comes amid Operation Khyber I which was launched in Khyber upon information about the presence of militants in parts of Sipah and Akkakhel areas.

Mangal Bagh-led Lashkar-i-Islam has had a strong presence in the areas being targeted in the operation.

Anticipating a military operation in their areas in Tirah valley, hundreds of Akkakhel families had begun leaving their homes in Dars Jumaat, Shaddaly, Darota and Kulla areas of Akkakhel area.

The latest offensive was launched amidst 'Zarb-i-Azb', a full-fledged military operation being conducted by the Pakistani military against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in the North Waziristan tribal region.