Islamabad: At least six militants were killed and several others injured when Pakistani fighter jets and artillery pounded suspected Taliban positions in the troubled Bajaur tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

The jets struck militant positions at several places in the Charmang and Loisam sub-districts of Bajaur Agency, considered strongholds of the local Taliban militants.

A number of militant hideouts were destroyed in the bombing, TV channels reported. The militant positions were also targeted with artillery, reports said.

There was no official word on the casualties though TV channels put the toll at six. Local residents said the toll could rise. Pakistani security forces have stepped up the bombardment of Taliban positions in Bajaur and the restive Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province with fighter jets and gunship helicopters over the past few days.

 Over 60 people, including 22 civilians, were killed in air strikes and gun battles in Swat and Bajaur yesterday. The News daily put the death toll in yesterday's air strikes in the Taliban-dominated Matta sub-district of Swat at 100, including some 25 militants. However, it did not give a detailed break-up of the casualties or the areas where they had occurred.

Source : PTI