PAKISTANI paramilitary forces destroyed a handful of militant centres and uncovered alleged torture cells as they pressed ahead yesterday with an offensive against extremists near the Afghan border, officials said.

The leader of the Taliban in Pakistan said he is suspending peace talks with the government because of a military offensive against militants in Khyber.

A local government official says Pakistan has launched a military operation against Taliban militants who have been threatening the main city in the country’s volatile north-west.