Pakistani airstrikes kill 90 militants

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, May 21 (agencies): Over 90 guerrillas were killed in an overnight air strike launched by the Pakistani army in the country's North Waziristan tribal area, media reports Wednesday said.
The air strike operation covered several areas in including Mir Ali and Boya, Xinhua reported.
Many important guerrilla leaders were killed in the operation.
Pakistani officials say military jet fighters and gunship helicopters have killed nearly 90 militants in a tribal region near the Afghan border.
 A Pakistani military officer and two intelligence officials told The Associated Press that the airstrikes were carried out on Wednesday in North Waziristan. All three spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
 Local residents, speaking anonymously for fear for their safety, said the strikes also killed several civilians. The claims could not be independently verified.
 The lawless tribal area is off limits to foreign journalist and the Pakistani army didn't release any statements.
Waziristan is part of Pakistan's tribal region, which is home to local and al-Qaida-linked foreign militants who have been waging a bloody war against the state, killing thousands of people.