Pak strikes take toll

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top military spokesman said on Thursday 54 militants and nine security force personnel had been killed during operations in the northwest over the last 24 hours.

It is impossible to confirm death tolls independently, which previously added up to more than 750 dead militants since the military launched offensives against the Taliban in three northwest Pakistani districts.

“In the last 24 hours, 54 miscreants, militants and terrorists have been killed in the operation in various parts,” said Major General Athar Abbas.