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Pakistan air strikes 'kill 32' | Pakistan air strikes 'kill 32' |
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Air strikes in Pakistan have killed at least 32 militants in North Waziristan including "important commanders". | |
Officials described precision air strikes on targets near the border with Afghanistan. | |
Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have died in bomb attacks since the Pakistani Taliban began its campaign against the central government in 2007. | Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have died in bomb attacks since the Pakistani Taliban began its campaign against the central government in 2007. |
Several offensives have been launched against the militants, but the government is also pursuing talks. | |
"Before the launch of the air strikes, we had confirmed intelligence information about hideouts of the militants and their top commanders," said a senior military official in Miranshah quoted by the Reuters news agency. | "Before the launch of the air strikes, we had confirmed intelligence information about hideouts of the militants and their top commanders," said a senior military official in Miranshah quoted by the Reuters news agency. |
The army said in a statement that the strikes were targeting militants involved in attacks against Pakistani armed forces and Pakistani soldiers. | |
At least nine soldiers were killed and several critically wounded by a roadside bomb in the region earlier this month. | |
There have been similar air strikes since the beginning of the year, but this operation appears to have been the largest in a while, reports the BBC's Kim Ghattas from Islamabad. | |
North Waziristan is one of seven lawless tribal districts where Taliban and al-Qaeda linked militants have strongholds. | |
The peace talks between the government and the Pakistani Taliban stalled after one round of negotiations in February, and a 40-day ceasefire between the two sides came to an end in mid-April. |