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Pakistani security forces have killed over 30 militants in fresh fighting in Swat and the Waziristan tribal region, where the security forces carried out retaliatory air strikes after the Taliban launched attacks on several military bases.
Reports from North and South Waziristan said about 20 militants and two women were killed in attacks by fighter jets that were carried out after the Taliban struck at four military bases overnight.
Chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said 14 militants were killed during the past 24 hours in fighting in Malakand division, which includes Swat valley.
Militants fired rockets and mortar shells at an army airport, a residential colony and a fort manned by security forces in South Waziristan last night. Ten rockets were alsofired by militants at a military base in North Waziristan, TV news channels reported. There were no reports of casualties in these attacks.
The security forces responded by targeting militant positions with air strikes and artillery barrages. Reports said a training camp was among the militant positions that were targeted.
Abbas told a news briefing that the military was engaged in positioning forces and preparatory manoeuvres before launching an operation in Waziristan against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud and his network.