In Pakistan, at least 39 Taliban militants were killed and 17 others injured today in air and ground offensives by security forces in the restivenorthwestern Orakzai tribal region. A clash between troops and Taliban in Sarki Khel area of Orakzai left 24 militants dead and 11 injured, officials said. Fifteen more militants were killed and six others injured when helicopter gunships targeted militant positions inKhadezai and Gundaki areas of the tribal region.Officials said, three militant hideouts were destroyed in the air strikes.