18 militants killed in Pakistan airstrikes

, Aug 19: At least 18 militants were killed Tuesday during airstrikes in

's Khyber and North Waziristan tribal regions, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The strikes were carried out in the Kokikhel area of Tirah Valley in Khyber and in the North Waziristan tribal area, Dawn online reported.

According to the ISPR, seven militant hideouts were also destroyed during the airstrikes.

The strikes come as military operation Zarb-i-Azb is under way in the North Waziristan tribal region.

The operation was launched June 15 following a brazen militant attack on Karachi's international airport and failure of peace talks between the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Nearly a million people have fled the offensive in North Waziristan, which is aimed at wiping out longstanding militant strongholds in the area, which borders Afghanistan.

IANS