PESHAWAR: At least twenty-two militants have been killed as targeted aerial strikes struck militants hideouts in various parts of Tirah valley of Khyber Agency.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday confirmed that the jets strikes have destroyed many of the militant’s hideouts.

It says that operation Khyber-1 is going on successfully and that troops have moved into key areas.

The details, however, could not be verified as access for journalists is restricted in the area.

The Pakistan military launched a major offensive called Zarb-i-Azb in North Waziristan in June and say they have killed more than 1,200 militants so far, with over 100 soldiers losing their lives in the operation.

Read more: 1,200 militants killed during 5-month offensive: army

Later, it shifted focus to Khyber Agency after claiming to have cleared the NWA.

Apart from Zarb-i-Azb, Khyber-1 was launched in October to target Lashkar-i-Islam, a Taliban faction that has strongholds in Khyber Agency.

Also read: Nine killed as military operation launched in Khyber

Khyber is among Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border, rife with homegrown insurgents and foreign militants. These are also home to religious extremist organisations including Al Qaeda.