UPDATE - Pakistan army says it killed 34 suspected militants in separate operations

ADDS 4 POLICEMEN KILLED, CHANGES DECK, ADDS BACKGROUND

By Aamir Latif and Sidrah Roghay

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - The Pakistani army claimed Wednesday that it killed 34 suspected militants in security operations across the country following a new flare-up of militant attacks.

Twenty-six militants loyal to the Pakistani Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were killed in four separate engagements in restive North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, according to a statement from the military.

Another eight suspected militants from Baloch separatist groups were killed in the Zhob district of southwestern Balochistan province.​​​​​​​

"Weapons and ammunition were also recovered" from "terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area," it said.

Also, four policemen were killed and two others were wounded Wednesday when unidentified gunmen opened fire at a patrol unit in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting security officials.

The attack came one day after seven policemen, including a senior officer, were killed in two attacks.

Pakistan is under the grip of a new wave of militant attacks, which it blames on its neighboring Afghanistan and India -- a charge both countries deny. Pakistan struck what it called terrorist hideouts Sunday in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan.

Afghan officials claimed civilians were killed in the strikes and vowed retaliation.