The aircraft targeted the last few pockets of terrorists left in the agency, which also left many of them injured. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Hours after Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada was killed by a suicide bomber in his political office in Attock, Pakistan Army aircraft pounded hideouts in Shawal area of North Waziristan, killing 40 militants.
"Forty terrorists were killed in bombardment by fighter jets in Shawal area of North Waziristan on Sunday afternoon," Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Sunday.
Read: 14 militants, including top commanders, killed in North Waziristan air strikes
According to ISPR, several militants were also injured in the aerial operation.
The air strikes took place after Army chief General Raheel Sharif, condemning the terrorist act in Attock in the strongest terms, directed intelligence agencies to help find its perpetrators.
Khanzada was among 14 people killed as the roof of his political office collapsed after a suicide bomber blew himself up.
On July 14, fourteen terrorists, including top commanders, were killed during air strikes in Alwara area of North Waziristan.
Read: Seven soldiers killed in North Waziristan gun battle
Further, last month, as many as 23 militants including foreigners were killed during airstrikes in areas close to the Pakistan, Afghanistan border of Khyber and North Waziristan agencies.
Militants used to control all of North Waziristan, a mountainous region that includes the Shawal Valley and runs along the Afghan border but Pakistan Army had recaptured most of it in the operation launched last June.
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