Army strikes kill 18 militants in Bajaur

Pakistani helicopter gunships, fighter jets and artillery Monday pounded militant hideouts in Bajaur, killing 18 rebels, officials said.

The strikes were carried out at militants’ hideouts across Bajaur, where Pakistani troops and extremists have been locked in fierce fighting since August.

“Pakistani helicopter gunships, jet fighters and artillery hit militants’ hideouts, killing 18 militants and wounding more than a dozen others,” a senior security official told AFP.

Local administration official Mohammad Jamil confirmed the deaths of 18 Taliban fighters in Monday’s offensive.