Pakistan army takes Taliban chief's hometown: sources

The Pakistani military has captured the hometown of Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud in the country's South Waziristan tribal belt, security sources said on Saturday.

The Pakistani military has captured the hometown of Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud in the country's South Waziristan tribal belt, security sources said on Saturday.

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"Security forces took control of Kotkai overnight and a clearance operation is in progress," a security official told AFP on condition of anonymity at the start of the second week of a major anti-Taliban offencive.

"It is a major breakthrough because it was the stronghold of Taliban and hometown of Hakimullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain," he added, also referring to a reputed trainer of suicide bombers.