7 militants killed in clashes in NW Pakistan

Pakistani security forces on Friday killed 7 militants in northern western tribal region, media reports said.According to reports, militants were killed in clashes after a landmine planted by insurgents killed a soldier in Orakzai tribal region. The forces had established posts in different parts of Orakzai agency after expelling the militants of most of their former base. But they are still hiding in several remote and hilly areas and launch attacks on the forces. Orakzai Agency, the lone tribal region of Pakistan which does not have borders with Afghanistan, had been once the stronghold of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. Many TTP leaders also took shelter in Orakzai after they were expelled as the result of major offensive by Pakistani forces in South Waziristan tribal region in 2009. The incumbent TTP chief Hakimulah Mehsood started activities in parts of Orakzai agency in 2008. Orakzai had been relatively peaceful tribal region before the Taliban activities there. Taliban have also carried out attacks on the Shiite Muslims and pro-government tribal elders in Orakzai agency and have killed hundreds of them over the past few years. Local tribesmen have also formed ‘Lashkar’ or private militia against the Taliban who are supporting the security forces.