PESHAWAR
Security forces claimed to have killed as many as nine terrorists, including three commanders, during airstrikes in various areas of Hangu District on Saturday.
An official said that gunship helicopters targeted hideouts of terrorists in Torawari and Dar Samand areas of the district. As a result of the airstrikes, several hideouts were destroyed and nine terrorists were killed.
The official said three dreaded commanders were also among those killed. So far there is no confirmation from independent sources. Fighter jets on Thursday pounded terrorist hideouts in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency Thursday, killing at least 35 militants, including local and foreign terrorists.
Meanwhile, two terrorists were killed while planting bombs in Nasir Bagh area of Peshawar and Tehsil Jamrud of Khyber Agency on Saturday. The officials said the men were killed while planting bombs. The bodies were stated to be beyond recognition.
The aircraft pounded terrorist hideouts in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan as part of surgical strikes which they said should not be taken as military operation.
Sources said that the first airstrike killed commander Abdul Sattar when his compound was pounded by the jets followed by a series of strikes on Uzbek, Turkmen, Tajik and local terrorists.
The decision over the attacks on militant hideouts in North Waziristan was made after three consecutive days of meetings between the government and military leadership.
However, the government is still in favour to continue the dialogue process and the committee was directed to make contact with Taliban after they stop their terror activities.
At least 172 people including personnel of police and army were martyred in 19 days during dialogues with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
