At least 17 militants, including a top Taliban commander, were killed in Pakistan’s restive northwest region on Saturday in stepped up attacks by fighter jets and a US drone on rebel hideouts. However, there are also reports of resurgence of terrorists in Buner.

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 while at least 13 rebels died in air strikes by warplanes in the nearby Orakzai Agency.

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

A soldier and three militants were killed in violence in Swat valley and adjoining areas as troops stepped up search and clearance operations.

The soldier was killed when militants carried out a raid at Jandola in Bannu district of the North West Frontier Province, the military said. Three soldiers were also injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off during a routine search near Janikhel Fort in Bannu.

In Swat, two militants, including commander Abu Bakar, were killed by troops during a search operation at Chamtalai.

Another militant was killed and four suspects were apprehended during a search operation in the area around Kanju town.

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