16 militants killed, hideouts razed in Pakistan

Islamabad, June 29 (IANS) At least 16 militants were killed as Pakistani fighter jets Sunday bombed many militant hideouts on the outskirts of Mirali in North Waziristan, a media report said.

A military spokesman told Dawn online that the air strikes also destroyed a large cache of arms and ammunition belonging to the militants.

Security forces were also planning a ground movement, which will take place after the hideouts are destroyed, the report said.

In a major offensive in North Waziristan Saturday, Pakistani forces arrested an Al Qaeda leader and killed 19 militants, including a Taliban commander.

The army operation named 'Zarb-i-Azb' was initiated in North Waziristan after terrorist attacks on Karachi's Jinnah International Airport June 8 killed at least 30 people.

So far, the operation has seen the elimination of more than 300 militants in air strikes while many hideouts have been destroyed.

After the launch of the operation, at least 430,000 people have fled North Waziristan and moved to other areas in Pakistan as well as neighbouring Afghanistan.