ISLAMABAD, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least seven militants were killed Monday in fresh clashes with security forces during ongoing military operation in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal area, local TV channel reported.

    Six militants were also wounded in the clashes occurred in different areas of the tribal region neighboring Afghanistan, the private TV ARY News reported.

    The fresh offensive was launched following a remote-controlled bomb attack Monday morning on security forces' convoy in militants main base Makeen in which four soldiers were killed and two others wounded.

    Security forces have consolidated their position in Sararogha, Raghzai, Saghar Langar Jail and other adjacent areas and search and clearance operation in the captured areas is underway in full swing, the channel added.

    Pakistani security forces launched the ground assault on Oct. 17 in the South Waziristan, advancing towards the main base of Taliban militants in Pakistan. The army said that about 30,000 soldiers are in place to take on an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban militants in the lawless area. About 500 militants have been killed so far since the beginning of the operation, according to army sources.