PESHAWAR At least 18 militants were killed and nine others got injured when gunship helicopters pounded their hideouts in Orakzai Agency on Sunday, sources informed. The helicopters targeted militant hideouts in Sekhal Darra, Mela and Shakar Tangi areas situated in central Orakzai Agency and destroyed three more hideouts, besides killing 18 militants and injuring nine others. The security forces launched a major operation against militants in Orakzai Agency some five months back and so far a number of militants have been killed.