41 militants, two soldiers killed in Orakzai, Pakistan

Heavily armed Taliban fighters staving off an offensive by paramilitary forces today attempted to storm two security checkpoints in Pakistan's troubled northwest triggering an intense battle which left 41 militants dead and two soldiers losing their lives.

The clashes in the restive Orakzai tribal region came as the paramilitary Frontier Corps stepped up their offensive to flush out the Taliban fighters.

More than 300 Taliban fighters have reportedly been killed in three weeks of intense push by the security forces who have used helicopter gunships and heavy artillery. 

Security forces, officials said, repulsed the attack against the checkpost in Shireen Darra and Sangrana villages in lower Orakzai.

Two soldiers died in the in the intense fight and six others were left wounded, officials said. 

"More than 100 militants stormed the checkpost and the gunbattle went on for two hours before they were repulsed," they said.

After the firing subsided, officials claimed they found bodies of 15 dead militants. They said another 26 bodies were taken away by the insurgents.

Today's gun battle followed yesterdays heavy clashes which had left 33 militants dead when they were attacked by troops backed by helicopter gunships in the same region.

Over a dozen security personnel have also died in the fighting. The fighting in Orakzai region considered to be a stronghold of late Tehrik-e-Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud comes as authorities believe that large number of Taliban and foreign fighters have taken shelter here after escaping the Army offensive in South Waziristan.