Another Air Strike Kills 18 Militants

Pakistani military aircraft destroyed many militant hideouts located in Tirah valley of Khyber tribal district this Sunday. Since February 20th, it is 3rd attack by Pakistani Air Force. Around 40 militants were killed in the previous two air strikes.

According to a Pakistani military source, several factories making weapons and explosive devices (IED) were also demolished in the raids. These strikes are being executed in retaliation for the attacks by militants, which derailed the peace talks between Pakistan government and Taliban. Islamabad, earlier this week, deferred talks with militants after the execution of twenty-three captured soldiers.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Thursday, authorized the air raids after series of attacks by militant killed tens of people, including numerous security personnel during past few days. The Pakistani premier, during last month, had initiated the talks with Taliban in an attempt to put an end to the prevalent violence in militancy-riddled state.

The firebrand leaders of Taliban have said that TTP does not see urgency in reaching an agreement with the government of Sharif.

Militants are very active in the tribal regions of Pakistan, which border Afghanistan in the neighborhood. Overthrowing the state institutions, they want to impose Wahhabi laws across Pakistan.

Since 2001, Pakistan has been enthralled by deadly violence, after the state joined the US war on terror. As per Pakistani authorities, the conflicts have resulted in deaths of around 50,000 people in Pakistan.