Pakistani Taliban leader Mulla Toofan made a narrow escape, leaving behind his vehicle while the death toll of militants rose to 18 on Thursday, as the security forces' offensive continued in northwest Pakistan's Orakzai tribal area.

Mulla Toofan was in command of the Taliban militants in Orakzai agency. Earlier he was rumored to have been killed in a military assault.

Meanwhile, three vehicles of militants were also destroyed by gunship helicopters during the ongoing operation in Orazkai, local sources said.

On late Wednesday night, Taliban commander Ziaur Rehman was killed in a shootout between different tribes in Orakzai. Another six terrorists were also killed in security forces offensive.

Over 200 militants have reportedly been killed during the ongoing operation in Orakzai Agency where most militants have fled after the army wrapped up its biggest operation in the Taliban strongholds in nearby South Waziristan.