Helicopter gunships pounded Taliban positions in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region today killing at least 40 insurgents, and injuring 10 as they destroyed seven militant hideouts. <br/><br/>The Taliban meanwhile freed 50 of the 60 people kidnapped a day earlier in the adjoining Kurram tribal agency. <br/><br/>A security official in Orakzai said the gunship helis targeted four rebel hideouts in Dabori, Wali Kamar, and Gujar Kalay, believed to be used as a preparing ground for attacks on security forces.<br/>