10 militants killed in Pakistan airstrikes

FILE - In this file photo taken on Aug. 5, 2012, Pakistani Taliban patrol in their stronghold of Shawal in Pakistani tribal region of South Waziristan. The Pakistani army said it has launched a "comprehensive operation" against foreign and local militants in a tribal region near the Afghan border. An army statement issued Sunday, June 15, 2014 said the long-awaited offensive in North Waziristan was started at the direction of the government of Pakistan. (AP Photo/Ishtiaq Mahsud, File)

Pakistani officials say the air force pounded militant targets in North Waziristan, killing about 10 militants.

Two intelligence officials said the airstrikes early Monday hit the Shawal area near the southern border with South Waziristan, a neighbouring tribal region.

The officials said some of the militants were foreigners.

The airstrikes are part of an offensive announced Sunday by the Pakistani military in North Waziristan to go after local and foreign fighters who have used the region as a base from which to attack the rest of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The region is essentially lawless with little or no government control and also serves as a safe haven for insurgents who attack neighbouring Afghanistan.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.