Peshawar, April 04: At least 33 Taliban militants were killed and eight arrested today during fresh clashes in the volatile Orakzai tribal region in northwest Pakistan, official sources said.
Twenty-one militants were killed and 16 others injured in a gun battle with the security forces in the Syed Khalil Kalay area of Orakzai Agency.
Eight militants were arrested during the skirmish.
Following the clash, authorities imposed curfew in the area from Kalaya to Anjani.
Twelve more militants were killed in Shaniana and Karabba areas of Orakzai Agency by security forces. Gunship helicopters also destroyed five militant hideouts in air strikes today.
The sources said the bodies of 25 militants killed in clashes yesterday were seen lying by a road in Orakzai Agency.
Officials have claimed that over 200 militants have been killed since security forces launched a fresh offensive last month to flush out the Taliban from Orakzai Agency.
–Agencies