ISLAMABAD: Security forces in precise aerial strikes in Daras area of Khyber Agency killed 13 suspected terrorists including some foreigners on Tuesday, Pakistani military said.

“Strikes were carried out on credible intelligence about presence of terrorists involved in Wagah border suicide attack,” said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the strikes, fighter jets destroyed three militant hideouts including an ammunition depot.

Intelligence sources believe that the mastermind and handlers of Wagah border incident might be among the dead.

The information, however, could not be verified independently due to restricted access for journalists in the area.

At least 60 Pakistanis were killed during the popular flag-lowering ceremony on the India-Pakistan border at Wagah when the bomber tried to get as close as possible to the border earlier this month.

Claiming responsibility of the attack, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar – a splinter group of Pakistani Taliban, had said the attack was as much aimed at India as Pakistan.

Also read: Two soldiers, 24 militants killed in Orakzai, Bara

The strikes come as the Army is engaged in an offensive against local and foreign militants in the northwestern tribal regions of North Waziristan and Khyber.

Khyber is one of Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the area, where Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds.

According to sources, more than 135 militants have been killed in operation Khyber-I, whereas 250 have been arrested, including some key commanders, since the start of the operation.

Sources said those killed belong to various militants groups and organisations that are involved in subversive activities in various parts of the country.

Military sources told Dawn that the operation is progressing according to plan and will continue till the entire agency is cleared from all militant hideouts.

Pakistan's military launched the operation ‘Khyber-1’ last month with air strikes against LI hideouts in areas under the Mangal Bagh-led group’s control in Tirah and Bara.

The latest operation was launched amidst Zarb-i-Azb, a full-fledged military operation being conducted by the army against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militants in the North Waziristan tribal region.