17 militants killed in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - At least 17 militants were killed and 10 injured Wednesday in an offensive by Pakistani security forces in the restive northwest tribal region, official sources said.

Four Pakistani troops were also wounded in the latest offensive against the Taliban militants in Orakzai agency along the border with Afghanistan, Xinhua reported.

Pakistani military, trying to wipe off militancy from the troubled tribal belt, had declared victory in some pockets of the tribal region including the Orakzai agency earlier this month.

However, the air military offensive in the area and certain reports indicate that Taliban are regrouping in the tribal areas that have also frequently been targeted by controversial US drone attacks.