13 militants killed in Pakistan military airstrikes

Islamabad: At least 13 suspected militants were killed on Wednesday in airstrikes conducted by military fighter jets in Pakistan's North Waziristan Tribal Agency, it was officially announced.

An official statement issued by the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said five hideouts of the militants were also destroyed in the air attack.

The Pakistan Army launched Zarb-e-Azb, a comprehensive anti-militant operation, in 2014 against foreign and local terrorists who were hiding in sanctuaries in the North Waziristan tribal region. The operation was launched a week after a brazen insurgent attack on the country's busiest airport in Karachi.

The tribal region, which borders Afghanistan, has been used as a base by militants over the years. According to the ISPR, troops have been deployed along its border with neighbouring agencies to block any movement of terrorists in and out of the region.