ISLAMABAD, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least eight militants were killed in an ongoing military operation in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal area in the last 24 hours, an army statement said Monday.

    Militants fired rockets at security forces check post at Makeen, the main base of Taliban in the area, as a result four soldiers were killed and another got injured, and eight militants were killed during exchange of fire, the Inter Services Public Relations said in a daily press release.

    Pakistani security forces consolidated and strengthened their positions around Jandola-Sararogha axis. On Shakai-Kaniguram axis security forces conducted search and clearance operation at BangalKhel, Totai Langar Khel and Kanigurm and demolished militant commander Mumtaz Burki's hideout.

    On Razmak- Makeen axis security forces cleared Tauda China Khola and established check post near Makeen, the statement said.

    Besides, during routine search operation, security forces apprehended two militants from villages near Mingora, the main city in North West Frontier Province.

    About relief activities, 9,343 Cash Cards have issued to displaced families of Waziristan. Army Field Hospital has treated over 4,845 patients at Dera Ismail Khan, a city near the tribal area.

    At least 54900 internally displaced persons (IDP) families of South Waziristan have been registered in Dera Ismail Khan, the private TV GEO News reported Monday.

    The food and other relief goods are being distributed among the affected families. The patients are being treated free of cost at hospital established at Dera Sports Stadium.

    There are extraordinary security arrangements in Dera Ismail Khan and the suspected vehicles and people are being strictly searched, the channel added.

    Pakistani security forces launched the ground assault on Oct. 17 in the South Waziristan, advancing towards the main base of Taliban militants in Pakistan. The army said that about 30,000 soldiers are in place to take on an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban militants the lawless area. About 500 militants have been killed so far since the beginning of the operation, according to army sources.