KALAYA, Feb 23: Jets bombed militant hideouts in tribal areas early on Thursday, killing 17 Taliban militants, officials said.

The aircraft targeted hideouts in the Upper Orakzai area and destroyed four compounds in the rugged terrain near the Afghan border.

“Two warplanes were sent to the area early this morning after reports from local intelligence sources said that militants from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were hiding in the mountainous region,” a senior military officer said.

“The bombings targeted Khadizai, Samarbazar and Bermela areas and destroyed four hideouts,” he said adding that at least 17 militants were killed.

Independent confirmation of the death toll was not immediately possible as the tribal region is barred for journalists.

Meanwhile, suspected militants fired four rockets on targets in Enjani Kali from nearby mountains.

According to local administration officials, two people were killed and three others injured as the rockets hit three houses.

The houses were destroyed.