Pakistan Says 20 Suspected Militants Killed In Air Strikes

File photo of Pakistani air strikes in North Waziristan.

Pakistan's military says it has killed at least 20 suspected militants in air strikes on a troubled northwestern tribal region near the Afghan border.

A June 13 statement said the strikes took place near the Datta Khel area in North Waziristan tribal region.

The military gave no other details.

Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade following the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.

The army began a major campaign against Taliban and other militant strongholds in the North Waziristan tribal area in June 2014.

It says it has since killed over 1,300 militants in North Waziristan, clearing 90 percent of the region of militants.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and dpa