15 militants killed in Pakistan airstrikes

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani fighter aircraft targeted rebel hideouts Wednesday in the north-west, killing at least 15 insurgents, security officials said.

The attacks were carried out in the Mamonzai area of the Orakzai tribal district, where government forces are battling Taliban and Al Qaeda militants.

“The airstrikes killed 15 militants and another 10 were injured,” an official said. “At least six hideouts were also destroyed in the attacks.”

The military launched its offensive in Orakzai in March against militants who had moved into the district to avoid army operations in South Waziristan last year.

Most of the areas in the district have been cleared but militants are still entrenched in upper Orakzai, officials said.

The United States and its Western allies have praised Pakistan’s military campaigns but are demanding an offensive in North Waziristan, which is considered Pakistan’s key rebel stronghold.

Pakistan said its forces are thinly spread out and need time to consolidate control in areas already captured before launching a new operation.