ISLAMABAD: At least 25 suspected militants were killed in air strikes and by ground troops of Pakistani armed forces in North Waziristan as the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), fleeing the cordoned area, crossed 430,000 on Monday.

“Eight terrorist hideouts around Mirali, North Waziristan Agency were destroyed by jet aircraft early morning today,” said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“15 terrorists were killed in the strikes. Tunnels were spotted in the targeted areas.”

Meanwhile, 10 suspected terrorists were killed while fleeing from the cordoned off area in Spinwam and Mir Ali areas, said the Army statement. “Two soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom) in exchange of fire,” it added.

The statement said that the Pakistan Army troops have foiled several attempts by militants to flee the cordoned off area.

Aerial surveillance, vigorous patrolling and cordon around the area housing terrorists continue as the operation Zarb-i-Azb progresses as per plan, said the ISPR statement.

Also read: Thousand flee North Waziristan region on last day of evacuation

On IDPs situation, the Pakistan Army said that curfew was relaxed from 6am to 4pm today to facilitate evacuation of leftover local people.

“414,429 IDPs have been registered so far at Saidgai check post. It is believed that remaining people will leave the area today.”

For better management of IDPs at Bannu, Army Engineers Division has been tasked to assist the civil administration at Bannu and Dera Ismael Khan. Troops of the Engineers Division have already reached Bannu.

The Army said that four relief goods delivery points have been established by its engineers division at Bannu, where food items, medical care and cash amount, as announced by the federal government, will be distributed by the concerned civil agency among IDPs of NWA.

A field medical hospital by Army medical corps is also being established at Bannu to provide medical relief to the displaced people, it added.