File photo of a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder. PHOTO: PPI
According to an Express News correspondent, security sources said that 23 militants were killed and 15 others were injured in the aerial bombing which took place in the Sipah area of Bara tehsil and the Koka Khel area.
The operation was carried out on a tip-off that militants who were involved in the Sabzi Mandi blast in Islamabad and the attack on the police in Charsadda were present in the area, military sources said.
This is the first operation against insurgents in two months.
"Militant hideouts were engaged by fighter jets in Khyber agency early (in the) morning today," the army's press wing said in a text message sent to media.
A senior military official in Peshawar said the operation was still under way.
"After the jets, Pakistan army ground forces also launched operations in the area," he said.
Another military official said at least 15 militants were killed, but there was no official confirmation.
The attacks
An explosion on Nowshera Road in Charsadda early on April 22 left three people dead and 33 others injured including 12 policemen.
On April 9, a high-intensity remote-controlled blast in Sabzi Mandi in Islamabad had left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured.
Previous bombings
On February 27, gunship helicopters had carried out shelling in tehsil Kulachi, FR Dera Ismail Khan in which three suspected militants were killed. This was the first time that the Pakistan military had conducted shelling in the settled area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
At least 30 militants perished as warplanes pound their hideouts on February 25 in the South and North Waziristan, according to military officials. The airstrikes mainly took place in Datta Khel and Shawal areas of North Waziristan where militant training facilities and compounds are said to be located.
On February 23, airstrikes were carried out in the remote Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency in which security forces killing at least 38 militants, including key commanders. Six hideouts were also destroyed, they had added.
Just a day earlier, on February 22, security forces had carried out shelling on militant hideouts in Thall sub-district of Hangu, killing at least nine insurgents.
On February 19, at least 30 suspected insurgents were killed and several others got injured as military jets and gunships had bombed their hideouts in the North Waziristan and Khyber agencies.
COMMENTS (43)
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@immortal_soloist: You sound like George Bush. He was always making ID 10 T remarks.
We are with our armed forces.
Only anti-Pakistan elements can speak against our Army,or anyone that has been brainwashed by anti Pakistan Elements.
PTI won PK 86 seat.....
The series of suicide attacks in the last few days clearly prove that the threat of terrorism continues to loom over the region. We have lost enough brave soldiers, enough civilians, to terrorist attacks throughout the region. Pakistan in particular continues to struggle and suffer due to insurgency. We greatly appreciate their sacrifices and strongly commend their efforts in combating terrorism. At the end of the day, all governments have the responsibility of protecting their homeland, and the terrorists cannot be allowed to roam freely and conduct terrorist activities at will. We repeat what Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in regards to instability and insecurity in the region resulted from the killing of innocent people: “This is a threat that we share with Pakistan, and continue to want to work with Pakistan to try to eradicate it.”
Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
The Government has ordered Pakistan AirForce to launch air strikes after a long gap since 2007, when the then Army Chief dictator Pervaiz Musharraf entered into a "peace deal" with the rogue terrorists in 2007. Musharraf's hand-picked successor and guarantor of NRO General Kiyani, under the leadership of NRO beneficiary Asif Zardari, also preferred to keep mum against the terrorists and didn't bother to launch air strikes. The brave action to create deterrence for the terrorists prove seriousness & sincerety of the PMLN Government to win the 12 year long war that has killed 60,000 Pakistanis.
@Muhajir: Yes, you can kill them and finish them also. The relatives of killed terrorists will not dare to join ranks with TTP if real fear is instilled in them by strong military actions.
I hate it when I see Pakistanis questioning on the collateral damages. Yes, there will be collateral damages and Pakistanis should accept it because it is a lot, lot better than the colossal that the terrorists would inflict it they are allowed to have their way.
It would have been better for Pakistan to work with US and eliminate the terrorists. But military action that will also result in some innocent deaths is better than allowing the terrorist to take over completely and unchallenged.
@Ajamal: Oh ya! Now the drones are better?
The US drones were a lot more pin pointed with considerably less collateral damage . I am not able to understand why the Drone strikes were so stoutly opposed and aerial bombardment is being so strongly supported .
@Assad: The Prime Minster has neither the right to declare War or Order the military for any military operations within Pakistan. The parliament exercises such rights. END OF POST
Re.x Minor
@Muhajir: Not a valid argument. This way no one will ever touch militants and they will one day rule the roost. Think Bro.
@Blithe: See almost no one is out to support your most reasonable views. I agree with each word you say.
@Umair: the most miraculous thing about Pakistan Army is its skill. When Americans strike the militants with most precise devices so many innocent civilians are killed and the entire Pakistan gets upset but when Pakistan Army and Air force strike only militants are killed. Must congratulate them for this skill.
@Rex Minor: Stop spreading outright lies please. The GoP under PM Nawaz Sharif has permitted the military to hit the terrorists when they strike. The military did its homework, did recce, made plans and then hit them. Perfectly legitimate and lawful action by the military with approval of the civilian government.
The reason why previous operations were not successful is that they were half hearted and too little too late. There should not be any half heartedness this time eradicate them by complete operation followed by judicial executions of the captured top leadership.
Desi liberal and their liberalism LOL
@ hassan, are you for real mate?
How come only militants were killed and injured? What about innocent people??
This is very sad. JF17 was not developed to bomb the Pakistanis.
Please ask US to use their drones. Drones do a targeted job and spare civilians.
@ Sparrow ......... : Very well said BUT YOU MISSED TO ADD ALL THE ' ODDS ' GIVING THEM BACK END SUPPORT.
Who bombs their own people?
Two things.
One, ET needs some new pictures of jets. Two, @Rex Minor, we can see that you are in fact Rex Minor, I don't think it is necessary to put down your name after your comment, every time.
Thankyou, and carry on.
The news article should also have deliberated on whether this bombing has been a precision strike or not? ............. How many civilians and innocents and females and minors have got killed by aerial bombing? .......... Now nobody talking about innocent killings by such stray aerial bombings and actually such bombing causing more damage to innocents ................... Conveniently turning blind eye against the side effects of such arbitrary aerial bombings? ...very incorrect decision making being taking place!!!
shame on you people who celebrate the deaths of these people who died in Aerial Bombing today.
Such oppression of Muslims is likely to breed more terrorism. Address the genuine concerns of these Muslims instead of bombing them.
@hassan Do offer condolences to those people also who were killed by these "innocent people".
@hassan:
If there were more psychiatrists in pakistan I would not have been reading your comment
The civilians and the military have the same objectives. Fight if the Taliban fight. Talk peace if the Taliban talk peace. If both go together, so be it. The end objective is to weaken them.
Jets are showing force on innocent people. If they have used these jets against the drones we would never be in this situation we are in right now. My condolence to the people who has been killed by these jets. Shame on us for using that kind of power over people.
@vish: And who told you?
@Muhajir:
and you are Einstein who knows what is for sure not work and what will work? Give me a break!
Good ...........this is the only language that they understand. Now don't stop like you'll did about two months back.
Hurrey JF17 used on real time bombing......
@ Rex Minor, you surely are a Minor. No offence though :)
You can kill them but you cant finish them. This is not the way to eradicate them. The more you kill them, there brothers, uncles, sons, nephews will join the TTP to take revenge. You are happy now, but please do not cry when the suicider's arrive in your mosque, church, bazar and schools to take revenge. Only way out is negotiations.
@rexminor: the interior minister, himself, said attacks and assaults will continue if the bombing continue. The ceasefire is also called off, too. And do you expect Pakistan to go through this drastic change in a decade? Turkey, Russia, and many others are still going through this transition.
Government is incapabale of taking sides, cant take action against Taliban and GEO, blind leading blinds, Hats off to PAK ARMY
Now defacto there are two Governments in Pakistan, one the people elected civilian who want a which is not prepared dialogue and reconciliation with the resistance for peace, and the second one of the army which is not prepared to stand back and return to their role in a democracy.
Rex Minor
Good job. Keep going and don't stop until all terrorists are dead.
we should be ruthless with these evils. no mercy.
Kill them.... kill them all !
It is good to know that the military is very clear in its mind about the situation, knows how to deal with it, and does not hesitate in striking where it hurts most. Makes a difference from the dithering lot who, despite unanimous decision by the militants to refuse to renew the ceasefire, are not prepared to take no for an answer, insist on trying to locate, and bring out, angelic qualities in devils, not realizing that being good to bad people amounts to being bad to good people.
Karachi