Pakistan: Air strikes kill 27 militants, five security personnel in Khyber Agency

Islamabad, May 1: At least 27 militants were killed in air strikes in Pakistan's Khyber Agency as part of Operation Khyber II, media reported on Friday.

Military had captured militant strongholds in Sandapal, Tordara, Kundwala and Mehrban Killay areas, The Express Tribune reported citing a statement by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

On April 26, in an airstrike, fighter jets pounded militant hideouts in Bagh, Wochay Wona, Paati and Naaka areas of Tirah.

The targets of the latest air strikes were houses occupied by militants associated with the outlawed terrorist organisations of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Islam.

Khyber Agency is among Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border, rife with homegrown insurgents and foreign militants. Terrorist organisations including Al Qaeda also have a presence there.

The region has been long fought over by a mix of militant organisations, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Ansarul Islam and Mangal Bagh's Lashkar-e-Islam.

OneIndia News