PESHAWAR: Thirtythree suspected militants were killed and nine hideouts destroyed when military planes and helicopter gunships pounded their positions in North Waziristan Agency on Monday.

The strikes took place in theDattakhelandGharlamai tehsils of the volatile tribal region, says an Inter-ServicesPublic Relations (ISPR) press release.

The planes and helicopters targeted militant hideouts in Dattakhel early in the morning, killing 18 suspects.

Another 15 were killed in a similar strike in Gharlamai area.

Nine hideouts were destroyed during the shelling, the release added.

AFP adds: Local security officials said the militants killed in Dattakhel were mostly Uzbeks and others belongedtothe Haqqaninetwork.