Nine Militants Killed In NW Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb 22, IRNA - Nine militants were killed on Saturday after gunship helicopters pounded their hideouts in northwestern Pakistan, local media reported. The airstrikes took place a day after Taliban spokesman Sahidullah Shahid urged the government to declare ceasefire first. Hangu borders the northwestern tribal region of Orakzai, one of Pakistanˈs seven lawless districts on the Afghan border considered to be the hub of Taliban and al Qaeda-linked militants. Earlier this week, at least 40 militants were killed as fighter jets targeted suspected insurgent hideouts in three different areas of the North Waziristan tribal region./end