Pakistan army kills 20 militants in airstrikes

At least 20 militants were killed on Friday when Pakistani fighter jets pounded their positions in the troubled northwest tribal region bordering Afghanistan, where the military has undertaken a massive operation against the Taliban.

The airstrikes were launched in Khyber district, which borders Afghanistan on one side and Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on the other. "20 terrorists including some of their important commanders were killed" in the strikes in the remote areas, said the Pakistan Army.

It said that about 18 militants were injured in the attacks. The information could not be verified through independent sources as the area is remote and off-limits to journalists. Friday's strikes coincided with army chief General Raheel Sharif's visit to forward positions in Khyber.

General Sharif said terrorism will be completely eliminated from the country, according to the army. Pakistan has launched a massive offensive against militants in the north, and so far killed more than 2,800 rebels in an year-long fight. The army began its campaign against Taliban and other militants in the North Waziristan tribal region in June last year.