Pakistani jets have launched strikes on Taliban hideouts in the northwest, killing at least 30 people, in retaliation for attacks by the militants that have derailed peace talks.
The first raid confirmed by security officials came early on Thursday when jets bombed several locations including a compound in the town of Mir Ali and surrounding parts of the North Waziristan tribal district.
"There are confirmed reports of 15 militants including foreigners killed in these airstrikes," a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Another official later confirmed that at least 16 Uzbeks were also killed during the strikes in Mir Ali.
The raids in troubled North Waziristan come a day after Taliban insurgents said they were ready to observe a ceasefire to allow the resumption of stalled peace talks, provided Pakistani security forces stop killing and arresting them.
