14 militants killed in attacks in Pakistan

Pakistani warplanes destroyed Taliban hideouts in Orakzai Agency in the country's restive northwest killing 13 rebels, while a militant commander died in a US drone attack in the South Waziristan tribal region.

Pakistani warplanes on Saturday destroyed Taliban hideouts in Orakzai Agency in the country's restive northwest killing 13 rebels, while a militant commander died in a US drone attack in the South Waziristan tribal region.

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Thirteen militants were killed and several others injured when Pakistani fighter jets pounded militant hideouts at Mamozai in Orakzi. At least three militant hideouts were destroyed in the air strikes.

The air strikes were carried out following a tip-off that Hakeemullah Mehsud, a deputy of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud, was present in Mamozai. However, there were no immediate reports of Hakeemullah being killed or injured in the strikes.

Baitullah Mehsud is accused of assassinating former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto in 2007 and launching a series of suicide attacks across the country in recent months that have claimed more than 100 lives.

Meanwhile, militant commander Abdullah Shah Mehsud was killed when a US drone fired two missiles at his home in the Ladha area of South Waziristan Agency, Geo News channel reported.

A meeting of militants was underway at Mehsud's home at the time of the attack. Four others were injured in the missile strike.