15 militants killed in Pakistan airstrike

ISLAMABAD: At least 15 militants were killed in an airstrike launched by Pakistani army in the country's tribal area of North Waziristan, an army statement said.

The troops backed by fighter jets pounded seven hideouts of militants in Shawal area of North Waziristan on Sunday, Xinhua news agency quoted the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), mouthpiece of the Pakistani army, as saying.

North Waziristan is a restive tribal area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Identities of the killed militants have not been revealed yet, but the targeted areas are home to militants linked with outlawed outfits Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-i-Islam (LI).

Sunday's airstrike came as part of the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan, which has so far killed over 3,000 militants.

According to an earlier statement by the Director General of ISPR, operation in Shawal town is the last push against militants as the 15-month offensive has entered its final phase after most of the areas in North Waziristan have been cleared of the militants.