DHAKA: Pakistani and Afghan leaders have discussed regional security amid air strikes against militants in Pakistan’s north-west tribal areas.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Hamid Karzai held talks by phone, on the second day of Pakistani air raids in North Waziristan.

The army said that about 170 militants have been killed in the offensive, and at least six soldiers have died.

It comes days after a deadly attack on Karachi airport claimed by the Taliban.

Pakistan has asked Afghanistan to help seal potential militant escape routes across the porous border into Afghanistan, the BBC’s Mike Wooldridge in Islamabad reports.

Pakistan has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) the main militant grouping.

Speaking earlier on Monday, Mr Sharif told parliament the air strikes were necessary because “the enemy has left us no choice”.

“We will no longer allow Pakistan to be a sanctuary for terrorism at any cost,” he said.

“The world knows that on the one hand we were engaged in dialogue with these people and on the other hand our children, women and youth were being bathed in blood.”

“It is a matter of sorrow and pain that after four-and-a-half months of talks, we could not make a breakthrough for peace,” he added.

The government had begun peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban earlier this year, but there was little progress.

At least 28 people, and the 10 gunmen, were killed in the attack on Karachi airport on 8 June. The Pakistan military has since conducted a series of raids against militant hideouts.

Tens of thousands of civilians had fled North Waziristan in anticipation of the latest offensive, officials said.

Tanks and foot soldiers have been deployed in addition to fighter jets.

BDST: 1035 HRS, JUNE 17, 2014