23 militants killed in Pakistani operations

The Pakistan Army said Thursday that 23 more foreign and local terrorists were killed in North Waziristan tribal region as the security forces continued their major offensive.

The army, backed by fighter jets and gunships, Sunday launched a major operation against the militants hiding in North Waziristan.

An army statement said that 15 terrorists were killed in Zartatangi mountain heights of Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, by army gunship Cobra helicopters late Wednesday when spotted, Xinhua reported.

"It was one of the main communication centres of the terrorists," the statement said.

In a separate sniper action, eight Uzbeks were killed around Miranshah while planting improvised explosive devices on the road linking Miranshah with Mirali, a main town in the tribal agency. Mirali is considered as a major hideout of foreign militants.

The army said the terrorists' continuous attempts to flee from North Wazirstan have been foiled.

The latest airstrike came when thousands of people have fled the war zone over the past two days.

The army said evacuation of civil population from Miranshah and Ghulam Khan, a town near the Afghan border, started Thursday.

The authorities have established check points at various places where internally displaced persons (IDPs) are being provided all administrative support, including food and medicine, by security forces.

An army spokesman said the number of registration points at a check post has been enhanced to 20, 10 each for males and females for speedy and organised evacuation.

A camp for the displaced people has also been set up at Bannu, a main city close to North Waziristan.