Pak Army kills five suspected militants, destroys NW hideouts

At least five more suspected militants have been killed and five militant hideouts destroyed on Saturday, as jet fighters pounded parts of the North Waziristan tribal region.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR),on facing fire and opposition from inside the Miramshah town and Boya village, air strikes were launched to eliminate militants.

Five militant hideouts, caves and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were also destroyed and scores of militants were killed in early morning air strikes.

Most of the militants killed in the strikes were reportedly Uzbeks, reports the Dawn.

Meanwhile, one soldier was also killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded during a clearance operation in the morning.

Earlier today, sources had said that suspected militant hideouts in Daigan, Poikhel and Muhammadkhel areas were targeted and destroyed during airstrikes.

So far more than 400 suspected militants, mostly foreigners, have been killed during the operation while at least 19 IED-making factories have also been unearthed by security forces in parts of Miramshah, the main town in North Waziristan.

Insiders said most of the houses in Miramshah contained IEDs and most of the roads in the area were planted with explosives and landmines.

Due to the North Waziristan offensive more than 500,000 people have fled from the area, the operation's major aim is to get rid of longstanding militant strongholds.