PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s military said it killed 35 militants in fresh airstrikes early Sunday as part of a major offensive against the Taleban and other insurgents in the northwest.

Officials said the air attacks were mounted in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan tribal district, which borders Afghanistan. “In precise aerial strikes 35 terrorists including some foreigners were killed today...” a military statement said. Pakistani officials refer to Arab and Central Asian militants as “foreigners.” They sought sanctuary in tribal areas after fleeing the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The conflict zone is off-limits to journalists, so there is no way to independently verify the number and identity of those killed.

Pakistan began a long-awaited push to clear insurgent bases from North Waziristan last June after a bloody Taleban attack on Karachi airport finally sank faltering peace talks.