Pakistan: 23 suspected militants killed in airstrikes

 The Pakistani military Sunday claimed it had killed 23 suspected militants in airstrikes near the Afghan border as part of what officials called the final phase of a yearlong offensive against the Taliban.

Fighter jets hit hideouts of Taliban fighters in North Waziristan tribal district, killing 10 militants, a military statement said according to dpa.

Separate strikes in Khyber tribal district targeted militants from Taliban's Lashkar-e-Islam group, killing 10 fighters hours later, the
military added.

Both areas have been strongholds of Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda before Pakistan launched its offensive last summer.

The military said this month that at least 2,700 militants have been killed in the campaign that also resulted in a remarkable decline
in violence. Nearly 350 soldiers had also died.