Thirty militants and a soldier were killed today in the volatile Orakzai tribal region in northwest Pakistan, where security forces conducted aerial and ground offensives against the Taliban. <br/><br/>Ten Taliban fighters were killed and six more injured when gunship helicopters targeted militant positions at Kasha, Tari and Toti Mela areas in Orakzai Agency. <br/><br/>Official sources said, another 20 militants were killed in ground offensives in other parts of the region. Four hideouts were destroyed in the offensive. A soldier was also killed in the fighting, the sources said. <br/><br/>The military claims over 1,000 militants have been killed since an offensive was launched in Orakzai Agency two months ago though the figure cannot be independently confirmed as journalists have no access to the region.