Pakistan action targets militants

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The army and the Taliban have each claimed early victories in South Waziristan, a mountainous tribal region that Islamist extremists use as a base.

The fighting took place as US Central Command chief David Petraeus met Pakistan's prime minister and army chief in the capital.

US Senator John Kerry also met political and military leaders to try and ease tensions over an American aid bill that has caused a rift between the army and Pakistan's civilian government.

The offensive in South Waziristan is seen as Pakistan's most crucial yet against militants that are in control of a large swath of the north-west close to the Afghan border. The insurgents have beaten back its troops there three times since 2004.

Intelligence officials said fighting was going on close to Jandola, Razmak and Wana, three towns where the army had bases. Jets were making bombing runs in the Ladha and Makeen areas.

The army said on Sunday that 60 militants and six soldiers have been killed since the offensive began Saturday.

Intelligence officials said eight more militants were killed on Monday as they advanced on troops in the Khaisur area.

It is nearly impossible to independently verify what is going on in South Waziristan because the army is blocking access to it and surrounding towns. The Taliban claimed on Sunday to have inflicted "heavy casualties" and pushed advancing soldiers back into their bases.

The military offensive is focused on eliminating Pakistani Taliban militants linked to the Mehsud tribe, who control roughly 1,275 square miles of territory, or about half of South Waziristan. They are blamed for 80% of the suicide attacks that have battered Pakistan over the last three years, including five major attacks over the last two weeks.