Pakistan forces killed 19 militants in an intense clash in South Waziristan today, while insurgents aiming to divert the army's attention launched a raid in another region, officials said.
The army launched the assault against the global militant hub in South Waziristan 10 days ago after the al Qaeda-linked fighters spread fear with a series of deadly bombs and raids including a bloody siege at the army's headquarters.
Fearing more violence, authorities last week ordered schools and colleges across the country to close but many of them re-opened today.
The South Waziristan offensive is seen as a test of nuclear-armed Pakistan's determination to take on the Islamists responsible for attacks against the state.
The latest fighting took place when the Taliban tried to block soldiers advancing through a village from the southeast towards a major militant base at Sararogha.
"They put up stiff resistance and used all sort of weapons including rocket-propelled grenades and heavy and light machine guns," said an intelligence agency official in the region who declined to be identified.
A military spokesman said forces had managed to secure Gharlai village and nearby ridges after the clash in which 10 militants and six soldiers were killed.
Reuters