Pakistan army claims gains against Taliban

The army claimed Pakistan’s Taliban were in disarray after soldiers captured the hometown of the militants’ chief, a strategic prize as the military pushes deeper into an insurgent stronghold along the Afghan border.

The Taliban militants have carried a string of terrorist strikes in Pakistani cities in response to the operation.

A suicide bomber in a car killed a police officer early today on a highway that runs between the capital Islamabad and Lahore.

The eight-day-old air and ground offensive in the South Waziristan tribal region is a key test of nuclear-armed Pakistan’s campaign against Islamist militancy. It has already spurred a civilian exodus and deadly retaliatory attacks.

Washington has encouraged the operation in the northwest because many militants there are believed to shelter al Qaida leaders and are also suspected to be involved in attacks on Western troops in Afghanistan.

The US military has also kept up its own missile strikes in the lawless tribal belt, including a suspected one that killed 22 yesterday.

The army announced yesterday the capture of Kotkai town – hometown of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud and one of his top deputies, Qari Hussain.

It also lies along the way to the major militant base of Sararogha, making it a strategically helpful catch.

The fight was intense, taking several days and involving aerial bombardment, officials said.

The majority of homes in the town were converted into “strong bunkers” and it also was home to a training camp for suicide bombers, army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told reporters. Troops had begun ridding it of land mines and roadside bombs.

“Thank God, this is the army’s very big success,” Maj Gen Abbas said. “The good news is that (communications) intercepts show that there are differences forging among the Taliban ranks. Their aides are deserting them.”

Maj Gen Abbas said some of the fleeing Taliban have shaved their beards and cut their hair to try to blend in with the civilian population.

Taliban spokesmen could not immediately be reached for comment.