By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani troops backed by helicopter gunships pounded militant hideouts in the northwestern Orakzai region Sunday, killing at least 23 fighters and injuring eight, an official said.
The security forces also destroyed five bunkers of the militants. Online news agency quoted official sources as telling a private TV channel as saying the security forces target militant hideouts in Shana Garhi, Khui Meka and other areas of the Lower Orakzai region, killing 13 militants.
The troops also killed 10 militants and injured four in the Mandai Kalay area of Upper Orakzai.
Security forces claim to have cleared a number of areas of militants in the Orakzai agency.
More than 400 militants have so far been killed during the military operation that started in the Orakzai area in late March. Orakzai has seen a growing inflow of militants who fleeing the South Waziristan tribal area due to the military operation underway there.