Fresh air strikes kill 18 militants North Waziristan

Hideouts of terrorists targeted in latest raids

At least 18 suspected militants were killed as Pakistan Air Force jets bombed hideouts of terrorists on Tuesday, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations, the air strikes were carried out in Shawal area of North Waziristan.

Tuesday's strikes follow on from strikes in the same region on Monday, when air strikes left as many as 55 militants dead in North Waziristan.

Read: Shawal air blitz kills 40 terrorists

ISPR added that among other those killed, two were suspected suicide bombers in addition to a number of foreigners.

While 55 terrorists were killed in Shawal and Gharmali areas on North Waziristan, another 15 were targeted in Rajgal area of Khyber Agency.

The deeply forested ravines of Shawal Valley and Datta Khel are popular smuggling routes between Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan, and are dotted with militant bases used as launch pads for attacks on Pakistani forces.