Pakistani jets target militant bases, 40 killed

The source claimed those killed included terrorists linked to attacks on a church and Qissa Khwani Bazar in Peshawar as well as a bombing within Bannu cantonment on Sunday that killed 26 troops.

“Scores of militants were injured in these strikes,” the source said.

Unconfirmed reports said civilians too were killed in the air strikes.

The casualties could not be independently verified as journalists are barred from the tribal belt.  

Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif today visited Bannu and met victims of the bomb attack at a military hospital.  

The operation by air force jets took many by surprise.  

This was the first time the air force resorted to air strikes in North Waziristan since a ceasefire was finalized with local Taliban chiefs in 2007.