7 militants killed in NW Pakistan

At least seven militants were killed by the security forces in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Orakzai on Sunday, reported local media DAWN. The report quoted unidentified sources as saying that a group of militants launched an attack on an army convoy in the region, injuring one troop. In retaliation, the army killed seven attackers. Orakzai is one of the seven tribal areas in northwest Pakistan and the only tribal area that does not border Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the militants are very active in this region. The area is believed to be home to supporters of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud. The Pakistani security forces launched a major operation in Orakzai in March 2010 after militants fled a sweeping offensive in the nearby tribal area of South Waziristan.