Pakistan military says 27 militants killed

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Pakistani security forces say 27 militants, including 12 would-be suicide bombers, died in an airstrike in the Orakzai tribal area in the northwest region.

The attack Sunday destroyed the home of local Taliban leader Maulvi Abdul Salam, Dawn newspaper reported quoting a news release from the Frontier Corps. The fate of Salam was unknown.

The offensive was launched after security forces received a report about a gathering at a Taliban hideout, Dawn said.

Sources told Dawn Taliban militants had been meeting in the area since a suicide attack Friday on a tribal meeting or jirga in Khadezai killed more than 60 tribesmen.

"The administration and tribal elders will certainly devise a plan to trace the perpetrators and take action against them," an official was quoted as saying. "The government will support the tribesmen in their fight against the terrorists."