Pakistan has ramped up its campaign against Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, placing a bounty on the chieftain’s head and launching air strikes on his stronghold in the country’s north-west.

Pakistani jet fighters flattened at least three suspected Taliban training facilities in the volatile South Waziristan tribal region today, killing or wounding several insurgents, two senior intelligence officials said.

A remote control flying US drone today attacked a hide-out connected to the Taliban leader who threatened to attack Washington, killing 12 people.

Militants loyal to Pakistan’s top Taliban commander killed at least 22 rivals from a pro-government faction, officials said today.