11 militants killed in military operation in Northwest Pakistan

As many as 11 militants were killed in a military operation launched on Wednesday in the northwest tribal belt of Pakistan.

The Pakistani Troops started the assault on militant hideouts just after midnight Wednesday to flush out militants from the outskirts of Kalaya, the main town in the Orakzai tribal district.

Gunship Helicopters shelled the militants destroying many compounds and killing 11 militants.

According to official sources the shelling destroyed five mud brick compounds used by Taliban militants.

A senior security official told Asian Tribune that 11 militants were confirmed dead in the operation.

Paramilitary Frontier Corps has been battling with insurgents in Orakzai Agency which is considered the strong hold of Hakimuallah Mehsud of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.

The tribal belt of Pakistan has become the hub of militants after US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 forcing majority to the militants to flee to this area.

Earlier a US drone attack killed 7 militants in North Wazirisran. The raid late Tuesday was the latest in nearly 100 US drone strikes that have killed more than 830 people in Pakistan since August 2008.

- Asian Tribune -