Islamabad, June 16 (IANS): Pakistan military Monday said that 177 "terrorists have been killed" in major military operation against the local and foreign militant groups in North Waziristan tribal region over the past two days.
"Operation in North Wazirastan Agency is progressing as per plan. No operation in civil populated areas has been started so far," the army said, adding North Wazirastan Agency has been isolated by deploying troops along its border with neighboring agencies and other tribal regions to block any movement of terrorists in and out of the Agency.
Releasing update about the casualties and other losses of the militants, the military said six hardcore terrorist hideouts were destroyed by jet aircraft early Monday in Shawal area of North Wazirastan Agency, bordering Afghanistan.
"In these precise strikes, 27 terrorists were killed. There is no civil population in the area," a military spokesman said in a statement.
He said jet aircraft were very successful Sunday in precise strikes in Degan-Boya in North Wazirastan, in which 140 terrorists were killed. "Most of those killed are Uzbeks."
Many East Turkestan Islamic Movement terrorists and their affiliates have also been killed in the strikes.
The army described Sunday's strikes as a massive blow to the terrorists, and said one of their main communication center has been dismantled.
The spokesman said troops have cordoned off all terrorists bases, including the main town of Mir Ali and Miranshah, headquarters of North Waziristan.