ISLAMABAD, 0 8 MAR  (DNA) –  Pakistani air and ground troops have killed twenty one terrorists in North Waziristan tribal region as the security forces have intensified operations to clear some remaining hideouts of the militants.

The fleeing Taliban militants are hiding in the mountains after they fled major towns in North Waziristan where they been in control for years.

A major offensive was launched in June 2014 in the region that was their last major hideout. Security officials say that over 3000 militants have been killed since the launch of the operation codenamed “Zarb-e-Azb.”

The army is now using air and ground forces to clear Shawal Valley, the last hideout of the militants, to take control of the region.

“Combined with strikes by Pakistan Air Force and Combat Army aviation, ground force continue hunt for fleeing terrorists through chase, cordon and search operation,” the army said.

 “A group of 21 terrorists have been killed since last night,” the army spokesman said. He said in a statement that the operation continues and important heights and passes along Pak-Afghan border secured while the Valley’s sanitization is in progress. DNA