Pakistani troops killed at least 30 militants in clashes on Sunday in the troubled north-western region bordering Afghanistan, officials said, according to DPA. Security forces backed by helicopter gunships, artillery and combat jets pounded mountain hideouts of militants as they continued their push into Bajaur tribal district, a known haven for elements of the al-Qaeda terrorist network and the Taliban. "Exchange of fire between security forces and the insurgents continued throughout the day and the ground troops secured more areas, particularly the areas of Khazana and Nasir Abad, previously under the militants' control," a military spokesman Major Murad Khan told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. Several militant positions were destroyed in the operation. "At least 30 militants were killed and numerous were wounded in the operation that we will continue till the last hideout of the rebels is destroyed," Major Murad added.
