Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- The Pakistani military carried out airstrikes early Wednesday in the country 's northwest , targeting alleged militant hideouts in the volatile region . The army claimed it killed 60 militants , including some key commanders , and injured 30 others in North Waziristan , a loosely governed tribal area that borders Afghanistan . A local Taliban commander , Umar Khurrassani , challenged that report , and said 39 tribesmen , including women and children , were killed . If those tribesmen were affiliated with the Taliban commander , the Pakistani army would consider some of them militants . One area resident told CNN that up to 20 civilians had been killed in the airstrikes . Malik Gul Saleh Jan said that it 's difficult to assess the exact figure of the dead and injured because it is hard to reach some residents by phone . Many left their homes due to fear of shelling and bombing , he said . Earlier this year , the military carried out a series of strikes in the region , considered to be a stronghold for extremist groups .
Pakistani military claims it killed 60 militants in North Waziristan . A Taliban commander calls the casualties local tribesmen .