LANDI KOTAL, Jan 4: Twenty militants were killed and 10 others injured in Tirah valley on Friday when fighter jets pounded their hideouts, official sources said.

The jets conducted sorties in Dwa Thoe Khola, Baragatt and Sur Kas areas, targeting bases of the Taliban affiliated with the Tariq Afridi group.

Eighteen militants were killed on the spot and two critically injured died at a private clinic in Mehraban Killey, the sources said, adding that 10 wounded militants were taken to Maidan area for treatment.

The bombing destroyed five hideouts, including Abdul Wali Markaz and Orakzai Markaz. The hideouts belonged to militants from Mohmand and Orakzaiagencies.

Security officials did not give exact figure of the casualties. Independent sources said the slain included important Taliban figures in the area.

The sources said that jets also targeted hideouts in Sra Vella and Dwa Thoe Khola later in the evening, destroying a government school being used by militants.

In Shalobar area of Bara, two improvised explosive devices planted along a road went off when activists of a local peace committee were patrolling the area. No one was injured.