At least 76 militants including foreigners were killed in fresh air strikes on Tuesday carried by Pakistan military in North Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan, said military.
A statement by Pakistan military's Inter Services Public Relations said that precise aerial strikes targeting militant hideouts in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan tribal agency killed 76 militants including foreigners.
The first round of strikes killed 53 militants while a second round of strikes killed an additional 23 militants. The strikes destroyed six hideouts and an ammunition dump. Seven explosives laden vehicles were also destroyed in the strikes, said ISPR.
The air strikes came on the day when Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif visited Mohmand Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. COAS was given detailed briefing about progress of stabilization operations including the ongoing development projects by Army Engineers.
While speaking to officers and men on this occasion COAS said, "We will never abandon these areas without fully restoring them to functional normalcy." The air strikes are a continuation of the military operation 'Zarb-e-Azb' launched in June last year against the foreign and local militants in North Waziristan.