A senior Pakistani military official said that jet fighters and attack helicopters fired on militant hideouts in South Waziristan, killing more than 20 militants.

The official, who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said that the Thursday strikes targeted hideouts in and around the villages of Ladha, Makeen, Nawaz Kot, and Sararogha.

The strikes, which have been launched daily since Tuesday, was part of a strategy to “soften up targets” in South Waziristan before an upcoming ground offensive, the official said. A date for the offensive has not been made public.

The official added that Thursday’s airstrikes were more extensive than those of previous days because there was a clear sky.

The strike came on the same day militants launched a string of strikes that killed at least 30 Pakistani police officers and civilians, authorities said. At least 10 militants were killed in the attacks.

(article source: CNN, photo source: Columbia University)