At least 52 suspected terrorists, including foreigners and key commanders, were killed on Tuesday during air strikes conducted by fighter jets in the Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) and clashes between the security forces and militants in Orakzai and Khyber agencies.
Security sources said 30 terrorists, including two key commanders and several foreign fighters, were killed in the blitz which was carried out in a jungle in Dattakhel. Two vehicles were also destroyed in the strikes.
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the deaths of at least 17 suspected terrorists, many of whom were alleged to be foreign fighters.
Meanwhile, at least seven suspected terrorists were killed and six others were injured in a clash with security forces in Akakhel area of Khyber Agency early Tuesday morning.
Moreover, at least 15 terrorists were killed and many others injured as security forces repulsed an attack on a checkpost situated in Shirin Dara area on the border with Tirah Valley in Orakzai Agency.
Sources said that about 60 terrorists attacked a security checkpost in Shirin Dara with heavy weapons but the forces repulsed the offensive.
Anticipating a military operation in their areas in Tirah valley, hundreds of families have started leaving their houses in Dars Jumaat, Shaddaly, Darota and Kulla areas of Akakhel.
The latest offensive Khyber-I was launched amidst Operation Zarb-e-Azb, a full-fledged military operation being conducted by the Pakistani military against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and all other terrorist groups in NWA.
