At least 44 militants were on Saturday killed in precise aerial strikes by Pakistani forces in the country’s volatile tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, where a major military campaign against the Taliban is underway. In Tirah area of Khyber agency, 28 militants were killed in air strikes while as 16 militants — mostly foreigners were killed in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, the military said.
The Tirah Valley, which shares borders with the tribal agencies of Khurram and Orakzai and also with the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, is considered a stronghold of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups. The military began a major offensive in Khyber in October 2014 carrying out airstrikes and using artillery, mortars and ground troops.