ISLAMABAD – Pakistani security officials say at least 40 militants have been killed in air strikes in northwestern Pakistan.

Military officials Saturday said fighter jets started pounding militant hideouts in the Swat Valley late Friday, to try to flush militants from the area.

Swat was a major tourist valley until pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah tried to impose Islamic rule in the tribal region.  The government struck a peace deal with Fazlullah in May, but militants have continued their attacks.

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