KARACHI, Pakistan - Pakistani warplanes attacked insurgent hideouts in the tribal region near the Afghan border, killing 37 suspected militants and wounding 18, army officials said Thursday, as authorities hold peace negotiations with the Taliban.
The airstrikes pounded two suspected hideouts in a remote area of Tirah Valley in the Khyber tribal region, three military officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
There was no way to independently confirm the report, because the tribal area is closed to journalists.
Two officials said the military acted on intelligence that militants responsible for recent terror attacks in Islamabad and elsewhere were hiding in the tribal region. Ground troops also took part in the operation, which was still underway Thursday night in Tirah Valley, the officials said.
An army officer said officials suspected the militants of being responsible for a bombing at an outdoor fruit and vegetable market on the outskirts of Islamabad that killed 22 people.
Pakistan’s government has been trying to negotiate a peace deal with the Pakistani Taliban in efforts to end years of fighting that has killed thousands of people. The local branch, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, had declared a cease-fire but said last week that it wouldn’t extend it as peace talks go on.
In a statement emailed to reporters last week, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid blamed the government, saying it had continued operations against the group even during the cease-fire.
“Therefore, the central shura of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has unanimously decided not to make any extension in the cease-fire,” he said. “However, the process of talks will continue with complete sincerity and seriousness.”
Elsewhere on Thursday, a bomb targeting prominent police officer Shafiq Tanoli exploded in downtown Karachi, killing the officer and three others, police official Pir Mohammad Shah said.
The explosion in the port city appeared to be a suicide bombing, Shah said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Shah said Tanoli, who had survived several attempts on his life, was targeted for his active campaigning against terrorists.
Tanoli was meeting friends and relatives at a shop close to his home when the bomb went off, police officer Nasir Lodhi said. Lodhi said police suspected a teenage boy had detonated explosives tied to his body.
Information for this article was contributed by Riaz Khan, Munir Ahmed and staff members of The Associated Press.
Front Section, Pages 8 on 04/25/2014