A United Nations team visited Pakistan’s battle-scarred Swat Valley today as hundreds of refugees made their way back to the troubled area.

PAKISTANI warplanes bombed suspected militant positions in a stronghold close to the capital yesterday, pressing ahead with a fierce offensive that has driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, many into crowded refugee camps.

PAKISTAN pounded Taliban hideouts for a third day yesterday and said its troops killed 14 insurgents as the president urged the nation to unite behind the offensive.