In a rare admission, Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau Chief today said the country was facing growing threat from the Islamic State as hundreds of

Pakistanis have travelled to Syria to join the terror outfit.

"There are reports of fighters being recruited by sectarian and other outfits, and being sent to Syria. The number of people leaving from Pakistan to Syria to join IS are in hundreds," Director General Intelligence Bureau Aftab Sultan said.

Addressing a Senate Standing Committee on interior affairs and narcotics control, Aftab said IB was locating militants in the country and carrying out arrests.

He also confirmed trend among militants to leave for Syria for fighting despite "successes" in dismantling militant networks.