Air strikes kill seven militants in Pak

Pakistani jets pounded terrorist hideouts in the restive northwest tribal region, killing at least seven militants as part of a major offensive against the Taliban, the army said today.
The jets bombed the rebels' hideouts in Khyber tribal district where militants of Lashkar-e-Islam rebel group are active.
The army said in a brief statement that eight terrorist hideouts were destroyed and seven militants were killed in precise air strikes.
Another 11 rebels were killed in similar strikes in Tirah valley area of the district yesterday.
The death toll can not be independently verified as the area is remote and media access is limited by the army.

Khyber is among Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border. The key region also straddles the NATO supply lines into Afghanistan.
Army has said more than 1,200 terrorists were killed in Zarb-i-Azb operation launched against Taliban in North Waziristan in mid-June while around 50 were killed in Khyber-I offensive against militants in the Khyber tribal district.
According to officials, the operation will continue till the extremists are completely wiped out.