At least 15 suspected militants were killed on Saturday during air strikes conducted by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets in the Maisar area of Dattakhel Tehsil in South Waziristan Agency.

Official sources told Dawn that at least 15 suspected militants were killed after jets targeted four positions in the restive agency's Dattakhel area.

However, this information could not be independently verified as journalists have limited access to the war-torn region.

According to official statements, over 3,500 militants have been killed in operation Zarb-i-Azb, while the offensive forced over a million civilians to vacate their homes and move to settled areas of the country.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif ordered troops on Wednesday to march on the last bastion of terrorists in Shawal valley of North Waziristan to take operation Zarb-i-Azb to its logical end.