Pakistani fighter jets kill 38 militants

Fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force Sunday killed at least 38 militants in a series of air strikes in the country's northwest tribal region, authorities said.

The jets pounded six hideouts in Tirah valley area of Khyber Agency, along the Afghan border, Xinhua cited the Inter-Services Public Relations, the armed forces' media wing, as saying in a statement.

It said many "important commanders" of various militant wings were killed in the air strikes.

State TV channel Pakistan Television said the air strikes also destroyed a bomb-making factory of the militants. A huge quantity of explosive material inside the plant caught fire and reduced the plant to ashes.

This was the third major air strike in militant areas in the last five days.

On Saturday, nine militants were killed in an air attack by army jets in Hangu area. In similar strikes in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency Wednesday, over 40 militants were killed.