ISLAMABAD: At least 23 more suspected militants were killed in the ongoing Zarb-i-Azb operation launched by the Pakistan Army in North Waziristan tribal region, according to a statement issued by the Inter Services Public relations (ISPR) on its website.

At least 15 suspected militants were killed in Zartatangi mountain heights, east of Miramshah are in North Waziristan tribal region late on Wednesday when one of the main suspected communication centers of militants was targeted by Cobra gunship helicopters of the Pakistan Army.

Meanwhile, eight Uzbek militants who were planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on Miramshah-Mirali road were also killed near Miramshah by military snipers.

Security forces were also cordoning off residential areas sheltering suspected militants in North Wazirstan tribal region.

The military also claimed that several attempts by militants to flee from the cordoned off areas were foiled.

The ISPR statement further said that the evacuation of civil population from Miramshah and Ghulam Khan areas of the region had begun today, adding that check points had been established at various places where internally displaced persons IDPs were being provided all administrative support incl food items and medicine by security forces.

Moreover, an IDP camp was established at Bannu while the number of registration points at Saidgai post were increased to 20, including 10 for men and women, for speedy and organised evacuation.

The army launched its long-awaited major operation 'Zarb-i-Azb' in the tribal region a week after an attack on the airport in Karachi, deploying troops, tanks and jets to the area in the crackdown on the Taliban and other militants.

Operation Zarb-i-Azb: Interactive map

Latest: Around 30,000 soldiers involved in operation - over 200 insurgents killed.

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Interactive map produced by: Sana Malik | Mahnoor Bari | Gulzar Nayani

Data gathered from ISPR and Dawn