Pak army kills 12 militants in North Waziristan

Islamabad: At least 12 militants, including a Taliban commander, were killed on Tuesday by Pakistan army during aerial bombing in the country's restive North Waziristan tribal area near Afghan border.

The attacks were launched since last night in Shawal valley, a mountainous and thickly forested region near Afghan border which is considered as bastion of militants.

A security official said that troops were steadily advancing towards the border and militants were on the run. The jet pounded rebel hideouts, killing 12 of them including a Taliban commander known as Hezbollah, the official said.

Pakistan has already announced that the last phase of operation had started in the border region of North Waziristan.

The on going offensive is a part of Zarb-e-Azb operation launched in June 2014 by the army to eliminate terrorists. Army says so far over 3,500 militants have been killed.