Taliban, Pakistani troops in fierce clashes

Pakistan: Pakistani troops and Taliban fighters were locked in fierce clashes Tuesday in a major offensive that officials said had killed more than 100 people and uprooted 110,000.

Pakistan faces its toughest military test yet against the rebels in waging the ground assault in South Waziristan, part of a lawless tribal belt where Al-Qaeda and Taliban networks are allegedly plotting attacks on the West.

At least 20 militants and four soldiers died in overnight fighting, officials said, as troops pushed their offensive for a fourth day in the region adjacent to Afghanistan.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said he was “encouraged” by the offensive, which Pakistan says will deliver a knockout blow to Islamists blamed for a wave of bomb attacks that have killed 2,250 people in more than two years.

Before the announcement of the latest casualties, the army said 78 militants had been killed and nine soldiers.

The exact death toll is impossible to verify with the area sealed off and communication lines down.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior military official said that “fierce fighting continued overnight between security forces and rebels”.

Troops backed by artillery, attack helicopters and fighter jets pounded Taliban bastions around Kotkai, the home town of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud.

“The troops have yet to enter Kotkai and it seems that they (militants) want to defend this stronghold at all costs,” the official said.

“Our troops fought a pitched battle overnight to gain control of Kotkai.The aim of the army is to provide an opportunity to the Mehsud tribe to live in peace.” Dera Ismail Khan, Tuesday, AFP