Pakistan air strikes 'kill 32'

 

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.

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.

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.