30 militants killed in Pakistan air strike

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani fighter jets Sunday pounded militant hideouts in the country’s Upper Orakzai tribal region, killing at least 30 militants and injuring 35 others, officials said.

Six militant hideouts and four vehicles of the militants were destroyed, officials told Xinhua requesting anonymity.

Pakistani Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas, however, could not confirm the exact number of casualties as the operation is continuing.

He said the towns in the region were protected and only the hilly areas are yet to be secured.

More than 700 militants have been killed in the past few months in northwest Pakistan.