Pakistan claims 34 terrorist deaths in Khyber

ISLAMABAD, March 18 (UPI) -- Fighter jets pounded Pakistan's Khyber Valley and killed 34 alleged terrorists, the Pakistani military claimed Wednesday. It said in a statement it attacked positions held by the Pakistani Taliban, known as the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), and an allied group, Lashkar-e-Islam. The mountainous, isolated area has been a hideout and headquarters for the two groups since the invasion, in 2001, of a U.S.-led coalition force.

Journalists are restricted from entering the area; hence, no confirmation of the government statement that "34 terrorists were killed" was available. There has been no comment from the TTP.

Pakistan began its offensive in Khyber in October, and reinforced action against the TTP after an attack on a Peshawar school in December, in which 136 people, mostly students, were killed. The military claims 1,700 militants have been killed in the Khyber mission and a prior mission, begun in June, in nearby North Waziristan.

The TTP attacked two Christian houses of worship near Lahore Sunday, killing at least 15 people.