The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Islamabad

Pakistan on Monday claimed major gains in its anti-Taliban offensive, capturing a key town used as a Taliban operational centre and den of Uzbek militants, as well as a nearby village.

Around 30,000 ground troops advancing on three fronts and backed by warplanes and attack helicopters are pressing a major offensive against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for a third week in South Waziristan.

Kanigurram is one of the biggest towns where Pakistani ground and air forces have concentrated their operations in the forbidding mountains on the Afghan border. US officials say Al-Qaeda is using the area to plot attacks on the West.

The military provides the only regular information coming from the front lines. None of the details can be verified because communication lines are down and journalists and aid workers are barred from the area.

"Kanigurram is now under the complete control of security forces," Major General Athar Abbas told a news conference in Islamabad, hailing what he called a "significant achievement" after two days of reported street battles.

"Hundred percent of the town has been cleared and secured. During a search operation, a huge quantity of arms and ammunition and explosives have been recovered," the military said in a statement.

Commanders on the battlefield have described Kanigurram as a major TTP "operational centre" and base for Uzbek fighters, the largest group of foreign Taliban allies in Pakistan.

Abbas said a total of 343 militants and 36 government troops had been killed since the operation was launched in South Waziristan on October 17.

"Krama village near Kanigurram was also taken from the militants after fierce fighting. The area was a stronghold of Uzbek militants," Abbas said.