Advancing Pakistani troops on Wednesday stormed into another Taliban bastion of Ladha and were locked in pitched street battles with militant fighters for control of the town in South Waziristan where 30 terrorists were reported killed in the heavy fighting.
"Advancing troops have entered the second terrorist stronghold of Ladha. Intense fighting is taking place in the streets," an Army spokesman said.
He said 10 terrorists had been killed in the fierce fighting, while 16 others died in the fighting around the town. Seven soldiers have been injured in the clashes.
Though the Taliban yesterday had claimed that they would adopt guerilla tactics against the numerically stronger Pakistani Army, the militants today engaged in street fighting to defend their hub.
Ladha is said to be one of the three main Taliban nerve centre in South Waziristan, according to the military. The security forces have already captured Sararogha and only the Makeen town remains with the militants.
Pushing deeper into the terrorist haven, the Army claimed that it has now taken complete control of Sararogha, which was a nerve centre of the slain Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud.
"Security forces have cleared major portion of the town," the military said, however the officials said the entire town has been captured. Troops also secured strategic heights around Sararogha.
{{/usCountry}}"Security forces have cleared major portion of the town," the military said, however the officials said the entire town has been captured. Troops also secured strategic heights around Sararogha.
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