MIRANSHAH: Ten militants were killed during air strikes in the Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) on Monday, the military authorities said. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement issued to the media said fighter jets pounded militants positions in Dattakhel, near the Afghan border, killing 10 militants.It said a huge cache of arms and ammunition, which the militants had dumped there, was also destroyed in the air strikes. There was no further detail about the identity of the slain militants and their bodies. There were unconfirmed reports that securitysecurity forces were preparing for launching a ground offensive against the militants in Dattakhel area. The military officials, however, neither confirmed nor denied these reports. After clearing most parts of North Waziristan of the militants as a result of military operation Zarb-e-Azb, the security forces are facing tough security challenges in Dattakhel and Shawal Valley. The militants are reported to have established sanctuaries there and can come back to the areas they had lost to the security forces during the military operation if the troops were called back from their positions in Dattakhel and its adjoining areas. NNI adds: Meanwhile, a political administration official and two local persons were killed in a roadside bomb blast in the South Waziristan capital of Wana.According to reports, the local political agent was traveling in the vehicle with two other persons when it came under attack in Raghzai area.Security forces arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area. Bodies of the victims were shifted to nearby hospital.
