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Pakistan jets bomb Taliban positions in North Waziristan Pakistan jets bomb Taliban positions in North Waziristan
(about 3 hours later)
Pakistani military aircraft have bombed suspected Taliban positions in North Waziristan, following a wave of attacks against security forces.Pakistani military aircraft have bombed suspected Taliban positions in North Waziristan, following a wave of attacks against security forces.
A military official said 25 militants had been killed in the air strikes in the tribal area, which borders Afghanistan. A military official said 25 militants had been killed in the air strikes in the tribal area bordering Afghanistan.
On Sunday, 20 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an ambush on an army convoy. On Sunday, at least 20 soldiers were killed in an ambush on an army convoy.
The Pakistani Taliban have vowed to step up attacks after their leader was killed in a drone strike. The Pakistani Taliban have vowed to step up attacks after their leader Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone strike in November.
The air strikes started at around 00:30 local time (19:30 GMT on Monday), an official told AFP news agency, adding that helicopter gunships also took part.The air strikes started at around 00:30 local time (19:30 GMT on Monday), an official told AFP news agency, adding that helicopter gunships also took part.
The air strikes were still going on, one report said. An intelligence official in North Waziristan's central town of Miranshah also told AFP that the air strikes were still going on and residents had had to flee.
It was not immediately clear if there were civilian casualties. Two residents interviewed by the Associated Press news agency over the telephone said they slept in the open, fearing their homes would be hit.
Some reports said there were civilian casualties, but this was impossible to verify as there is no independent media access to the area.
Tuesday's air assault comes after the military attacked militant targets in North Waziristan with artillery fire and helicopter gunships in December.
In the past month, the Pakistani Taliban have launched a string of deadly attacks.
On Sunday, soldiers and paramilitary personnel were preparing to leave Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, for Razmak in North Waziristan when their convoy was hit by a bomb.On Sunday, soldiers and paramilitary personnel were preparing to leave Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, for Razmak in North Waziristan when their convoy was hit by a bomb.
On Monday, a suicide bomber killed at least 13 people near Pakistan's army headquarters in Rawalpindi, south of the capital Islamabad. Among those who died were eight military personnel.On Monday, a suicide bomber killed at least 13 people near Pakistan's army headquarters in Rawalpindi, south of the capital Islamabad. Among those who died were eight military personnel.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed both attacks, which follow weeks of relative calm since their leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, died in a US drone strike in November. The Pakistani Taliban claimed both attacks, which follow weeks of relative calm since Hakimullah Mehsud was killed.
The new leader, Mullah Fazlullah, has vowed to continue attacks against Pakistani forces. Their new leader, Mullah Fazlullah, has vowed to continue attacks against Pakistani forces.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - under pressure to take a tougher stand on militants - cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos after Sunday's attack.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - under pressure to take a tougher stand on militants - cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos after Sunday's attack.
The two attacks were among the most serious assaults on the military in recent months. Correspondents say they will refresh concerns about Pakistan's strategy for dealing with militancy, with the government keen to pursue peace talks.The two attacks were among the most serious assaults on the military in recent months. Correspondents say they will refresh concerns about Pakistan's strategy for dealing with militancy, with the government keen to pursue peace talks.