Islamabad: At least 15 militants were killed today in airstrikes by Pakistani military in the restive North Waziristan tribal region, where the security forces have launched a major offensive to wipe out the Taliban.
Army aviation helicopters targeted militants in Ghulam Khan area of the region and killed 12 insurgents and destroyed their three hideouts and some vehicles.
In the region's Boya area, a stronghold of the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) militants, a soldier was killed in clashes with the insurgents during a clearance operation.
Army said in a statement that "three terrorists and one Naib subedar" was killed in the encounter.
The Taliban and other al-Qaeda-linked groups, which stage attacks in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are known to have strongholds in the tribal region.
Pakistan launched operation Zarb-i-Azb, a much-awaited military campaign, to clear insurgent bases from North Waziristan, following a bloody assault on Karachi airport ended faltering peace talks with the insurgents.
The militant attack on the airport killed 37 people.
Pakistan's Air Force has spearheaded the operation to clear militants' hideouts in what until recently was the epicentre of terrorism in the country.
The military claims it has killed nearly 1,000 militants and lost 82 soldiers since the start of the operation.
