At least five soldiers were killed and 13 others got injured in clashes between militants and security forces in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Orakzai on Tuesday afternoon, local media reported.

In a report of Samaa TV said that the militants attacked a convoy of security forces in Dolnaey area of Upper Orakzai, a militancy-hit tribal area near Pakistan-Afghan border.

In retaliation, security forces pounded at least three militants' hideouts killing at least 30 insurgents and injuring several others.

This is the second major clash between troops and militants over the last three days, on Saturday, 12 militants were killed in clashes with security forces in the same area.

Early last year, security forces claimed that they have shifted their focus to Upper Orakzai after clearing the Lower Orakzai area from the Taliban militants.

Upper Orakzai area is believed to be a safe heaven of militants who are involved in carrying out attacks on the security forces. Geographically, Orakzai Agency is located close to Afghan border which results in continuous inflow of militants across the border.

The latest operation is aimed at removing militant hideouts from the remaining parts of Upper Orakzai Agency.