Lagos, Dec 31 (IANS): At least 63 Boko Haram fighters were killed during Nigerian army's raids following a recent pre-dawn attack on military barracks in Bama town by the militant sect in the northern state of Borno, a military spokesperson said Monday.

The military launched ground and air operations on terrorists locations in the forest, about 21 km from Bama, a local government area of Borno state, dealing a heavy blow to Boko Haram fighters, Xinhua reported citing Major General Chris Olukolade, the defence director of information.

"Over 56 terrorists died in the ensuing intensive fight over the weekend and in another development, troops of the Multi- National Joint Task Force foiled an attempt by terrorists who were massing up on an island on Lake Chad with a view to carrying out an attack on some Nigerian communities," Olukolade added.

Another seven of the terrorists died while others fleeing in different direction towards Niger and Chad were being trailed by troops, he said.

The Nigerian forces have been raiding militant camps and launching air and ground attacks on suspected hideouts of the militants over the last two months.

Over 50 Boko Haram terrorists were killed within last 10 days in the course of exchange of fire with ground troops in the northeast restive state of Borno.

Borno State, located in Nigeria's northeast region, is a flashpoint of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram since 2009, when the sect launched its insurgency targeting churches, security facilities, schools and villages.