Two-hundred minority families include the about 62,251 families that have left North Waziristan in the wake of the military offensive against militants in the tribal region, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said.

These families particularly include Christian and Hindu residents of North Waziristan who lived in solidarity with local tribesmen and are currently taking refuge in school buildings across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that are hosting the internally displaced population from the region.

Upon the Pakistani government's official request, the UNHCR began aiding these IDPs with critical relief products. The UNHCR has provided approximately 10,574 family kits of essential needs that included jerry cans, buckets, mosquito nets, mats, blankets, kitchen sets, plastic sheets, sanitary cloths and soap.

Other agencies and NGOs were also providing victuals, medical facilities, clean water, as well as assistance to satisfy other vital requirements of the displaced.

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.

So far more than 400 suspected militants, mostly foreigners, have been killed during the operation while at least 19 IED-making factories have also been unearthed by security forces in parts of Miramshah, the main town in North Waziristan.