At least eight militants were killed in skirmishes on Sunday, as security forces continued their advance into the Orakzai Agency. The troops have killed over 50 militants and destroyed 12 hideouts in the operation underway for the last eight days. According to sources, gunmen attacked an armed forces convoy on Sunday, injuring a soldier. The troops retaliated and killed eight terrorists. The area is used by the supporters of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud. Security forces launched a major operation in the agency in March last year after militants fled from a similar offensive in the nearby tribal district of South Waziristan.