Peshawar, Apr 3: At least 25 militants were killed by security forces in fierce clashes in the lawless Orakzai tribal region near Afghan border, where military has launched a major offensive against the Taliban, authorities said today.
 The militants were killed in the towns of Qandaro and Goeen in Orakzai, they said. Two security personnel and several other militants were also injured in the clashes.
 Troops took control of Qandaro and Goeen after the clashes, while helicopter gunships bombed militant compounds in Sultanzai and Utman Khel areas.
 Initial reports suggested that many militants were feared dead in the air strikes.
 Orakzai tribal agency is considered a major base for Hakimullah Mehsud, the top Pakistani Taliban commander who is believed to have died in a US drone attack in January.
 The Taliban have denied his death, but failed to provide evidence that he is still alive.
 The Pakistani Taliban have been under pressure in their main stronghold of South Waziristan since the army launched a ground offensive there in October last year.
 Many of them are believed to have scattered to other parts of the tribal belt that borders Afghanistan.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST