ISLAMABAD: At least 13 suspected militants were killed on Wednesday during airstrikes conducted by military fighter jets in the Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Tribal Agency, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The statement added that five hideouts of the militants were also destroyed in the blitz.

The Pakistan Army launched Zarb-i-Azb, a comprehensive operation in 2014, against foreign and local terrorists who were hiding in sanctuaries in the North Waziristan tribal region, a week after the brazen insurgent attack on the country's busiest airport in Karachi.

Read more: Zarb-e-Azb operation: 120 suspected militants killed in N Waziristan

The tribal region, which borders with Afghanistan, has been used as a base by militants over the years. According to the ISPR, troops have been deployed along its border with neighbouring agencies to block any movement of terrorists in and out of the region.

North Waziristan is one of the seven regions in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) governed by tribal laws which is situated along the Pak-Afghan border and is rife with Taliban militant activity.