Pakistani fighter jets today targeted a terrorist hideout in the restive South Waziristan, eliminating at least 30 pro-Taliban militants, even as terrorists mounted suicide attacks on two police stations in the northwest killing an officer and injuring nine people.
Air strikes in the Shawal mountains in South Waziristan left 30 militants dead this morning, said a statement issued by a military spokesman.
A militant hideout in the Shawal mountains was targeted after security forces received a tip off that militants were hiding in the area, the statement said.
The Pakistani army mobilised 30,000 soldiers to launch a major ground offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan in October last year.
The military claims that over 600 militants have been killed in the operation so far.
The attacks on the police stations in Balakot and Mansehra towns in North West Frontier Province occurred within minutes of each other, officials said.
A suicide bomber blew himself at the police station in Balakot when guards prevented him from entering the building.
Police station chief Khalil Khan was killed and five others, including policemen and passers—by, were injured, police said.
In nearby Mansehra town, a group of militants lobbed a grenade and fired at a police station. This triggered a shootout in which one of the militants was killed.
Police said the slain militant was a suicide bomber.
Four police personnel, including a woman constable, were injured in the attack.
Footage on television showed armed policemen running through the streets of Mansehra, searching for militants who reportedly fled after the attack.
Additional policemen were called in from other police stations in the area to assist in the search operation.
Both towns are located in Mansehra district of NWFP.
A number of ‘jehadi’ camps were being operated in the region, which is located adjacent to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
