Peshawar, Pakistan (ANTARA News/AFP) - At least 26 militants were killed and about a dozen of their hideouts destroyed as Pakistan`s air force bombed targets in northwestern tribal areas on Friday, officials said.

At least 18 militants were killed in Orakzai tribal district and seven of their hideouts destroyed after raids by Pakistani jet fighters, local government official Zaman Khattak told AFP.

He said the air strikes took place in Mehmood Zai area of Orakzai, a known militant stronghold.

Separately in neighbouring Kurram tribal district, which borders Afghanistan, jet fighter attacks killed eight militants and destroyed five of their hideouts, local government official Sher Bahadar Khan told AFP.

Local intelligence officials confirmed the air strikes and death toll.

Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants frequently launch attacks across northwestern Pakistan and the lawless tribal belt on the Afghan border.

Under US pressure to crack down on Islamist havens on the border, Pakistan has in the past two years stepped up military operations against largely homegrown militants in the tribal regions. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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