US drone attack kills nine militants in Pakistan

Islamabad, March 24 (IANS) At least nine militants were killed in a US drone strike on Tuesday near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Agency.

According to security sources, the drone strike in Nazyan area targeted terrorist hideouts and seven militant commanders were reportedly killed, Geo News reported.

Reportedly, the driver of Mangal Bagh, the leader of Lashkar-e-Islam, was also killed in the attack.

On Monday, Pakistan military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said security forces regained complete control of Darra-e-Mastoul area in Khyber tribal region, used by militants to cross into Afghanistan and back.

A military operation titled ‘Khyber One’ and ‘Khyber Two’ was launched by security forces aimed at targeting militants in Khyber Agency, particularly the Tirah Valley of Bara which borders Nazyan.