Pak airstrikes kill 23 militants in North Waziristan

Peshawar: At least 23 militants were killed when Pakistani fighter jets today pounded terrorist hideouts in the restive North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghan border.

Military fighter jets targeted militant hideouts in Dattakhel area, killing 23 terrorists including some top commanders, the military said in a statement.

A huge underground ammunition dump and tunnel system were also destroyed, the Dawn reported.

North Waziristan is among Pakistan's seven tribal districts near the Afghan border which are rife with insurgents and are alleged to be strongholds of Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives, among others.

Pakistan's military in mid-June had launched an all-out operation 'Zarb-i-Azb' against Taliban militants in the region.