By Mashal Khan

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan army on Monday said its forces killed at least eight hardcore terrorists  in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near Afghan border.

In statement, ISPR said last night security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan District, on reported presence of terrorists.

“During the conduct of operation, after intense fire exchange, eight terrorists including HVT Terrorist commander Sehra @Janan were sent to hell. He was involved in orchestrating the terrorist attack on Security Forces’ Post in Mir Ali on 16 March and was highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies,” said Pakistan army.

“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area as the Security Forces of Pakistan remain determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country,” it added.

Earlier, Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Pakistan Air Force carried out air strikes inside Afghanistan to target TTP militants. 

“Last night at around 3 o'clock in the Barmal district of Paktika province and in Afghan Dubai area of Sepera district of Khost province, Pakistani planes bombed the houses of civilians, as a result, 6 people including 3 women and 3 children were martyred and a house destroyed in Paktika, as well as, two women were martyred due to the collapse of a house in Khost province,” said Mujahid.

Mujahid said Taliban condemned the attacks and called it reckless action a violation of Afghanistan's territory.

However, Pakistani authorities didn’t confirm any attack carried out inside Afghanistan. ISPR said Pakistani forces targeted terrorists in North Waziristan, a former tribal district bordering with Afghanistan.