Islamabad: At least 31 terrorists were killed in fighting and latest air-strikes on Tuesday by military jets in Khyber and Waziristan tribal areas in northwest Pakistan.
According to a military statement, the terrorists were killed as fighter jets pounded their hideouts in Tor Darra and Kukikhel areas of Tirah Valley in the Khyber Agency.
Three hideouts of the terrorists and two ammunition depots were also destroyed.
In North Waziristan, 11 Afghan terrorists were killed in a cross border attack from Afghan territory on Pakistani check-post at Dandi Kucch, the statement said.
Since the launch of military operation in North Waziristan on July 15 to eliminate militant sanctuaries, more than a thousand local and foreign terrorists have been killed, according to the military.
Military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwar said in an interview published on Tuesday that the capacity of Taliban militants to plan and execute attacks has been disrupted.
He said the military operation was proceeding as per plan and desired targets were being achieved.
The army claims to have cleared over 80 km of main road in North Waziristan and its three major population centres — Mirali, Miranshah and Datta Khel.
Major General Bajwa said the terrorists were on the run now and they were carrying out sporadic retaliatory attacks.
“They have been dislodged from their base, their command and control centre and logistic base has been destroyed and their communication netwok has been smashed,” the military spokesman said.
He regretted that Afghanistan was not extending the required cooperation.
“We have through military and diplomatic channels been asking Afghan authorities for cooperation, but they have not been forthcoming,” he said.
Islamabad is known to have repeatedly asked Kabul to hand over fugitive Pakistani Taliban chief Mulla Fazlullah, who is said to be living across the border in Afghanistan’s Kunar region.
Pakistan has also asked Afghan authorities to prevent recurring cross-border raids by Fazlullah’s men.
