At least 33 Taliban militants were killed and eight arrested today during fresh clashes in the volatile Orakzai tribal region in northwest Pakistan. Official sources said twenty-one militants were killed and 16 others injured in a gun battle with the security forces in the Syed Khalil Kalay area of Orakzai Agency. <br/><br/>Twelve more militants were killed in Shaniana and Karabba areas of Orakzai Agency by security forces. Gunship helicopters also destroyed five militant hideouts in air strikes on Sunday.<br/><br/>Officials have claimed that over 200 militants have been killed since security forces launched a fresh offensive last month to flush out the Taliban from Orakzai Agency.