ISLAMABAD, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - The Pakistani Army has killed around 40 Islamist fighters during an operation in the northwest of the country, a spokesman for the army, General-Major Waheed Arshad, told journalists Wednesday.
The operation took place in the Northern Waziristan region, on the Afghan border, and involved helicopters and heavy artillery. The area is a mountainous tribal region from which Islamist fighters regularly make attacks on Pakistani military positions.
The U.S. has been urging Pakistan to take military action in the unstable region, a refuge for Taliban members and various al-Qaeda inspired groups.