Pakistani fighter jets bomb militant hideouts, killing 35
PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Pakistani fighter jets bombed suspected militant hideouts in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber Agency early Thursday, killing at least 35 people, news agencies reported.
The raids occurred after a government bid to open peace talks with the banned Pakistani Taliban insurgent group collapsed following a series of militant attacks, including the reported killing of 23 paramilitary soldiers in insurgent custody Sunday.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the killings. Thursday’s airstrikes suggested that Sharif’s government, which has resisted pressure from Pakistan’s powerful military for more decisive action against the insurgents, could be ready to take a harder line.
Pakistani media quoted unnamed security officials as saying that at least 35 militants were killed after the bombings, but the reports couldn’t be verified independently because access to the tribal areas in Pakistan's northeast is severely restricted.
http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-pakistan-bombs-militant-hideouts-killing-35-20140220,0,611052.story?track=rss