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.