Militants targeted

Pakistani air strikes have killed 31 militants and a suspected US drone strike killed another seven, officials said, as local troops press a six-month offensive in tribal regions along the Afghan border.

The air strikes in the Tirrah valley of the Khyber region destroyed four militant hideouts and a suicide bomber training centre. The military said several would-be suicide bombers were among the dead.

The operation in Khyber is aimed at militants who fled a massive offensive in neighbouring North Waziristan that was launched on June 15. The offensive has resulted in the killing of 1,200 militants, the army said.