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21 militants killed in military operation in NW Pakistan

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least 21 militants were killed in a joint operation conducted by Pakistani army and air force in the country's northwest tribal area of North Waziristan, officials said Tuesday.

Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa, the director general Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said in a tweet that the troops backed by jet fighters launched air strikes and ground operation in the Shawal area of North Waziristan, a semi-autonomous tribal area along Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

"Combined with strikes by PAF (Pakistan Air Force) and Army aviation, ground force continue hunt for fleeing terrorists through chase, cordon and search operation," Bajwa tweeted.

He said that in the overnight operation, the army has secured important heights and passes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Valley's sanitization is in progress and the operation continues in the area, he added.

The officer did not mention the identities of the killed militants, but the North Waziristan Agency is believed to be a hotbed of outlawed group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan activity.

Tuesday's offensive is a continuation of the military operation in North Waziristan Agency.

Aiming at the eradication of local and foreign militants from the volatile North Waziristan agency, the armed offensive called "Zarb-e-Azb" (sharp strike) was launched on June 15, 2014.

The ISPR said in an earlier statement that over 3,500 militants have been killed in the operation so far and most of the North Waziristan area has been cleared of the militants.

The operation is in its last phase which aims at clearing the last remnants of the militants from their hideouts in the forested ravines. Enditem