Pakistan army heads to conflict zone

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-29-2009 20:02

Pakistani troops are heading to secure a key town from the Taliban and to halt their advance towards the capital. Helicopters dropped troops near Daggar, the main town in the Buner district, and in neighboring areas early on Wednesday.

Pakistani army troops on patrol in the Umar Abad area  outside the troubled Buner district. Pakistan said Wednesday its troops have seized control of the main town in the  northwest region of Buner after launching a new air and  ground offensive against Taliban militants.(AFP/Tariq  Mahmood)

Pakistan is under intense pressure from the US to take a tougher line. Islamist militants are expanding from strongholds along the Afghan border, where al-Qaida leaders including Osama bin Laden may be hiding.

In recent days, government forces have begun trying to drive the Taliban back into the Swat Valley. A peace pact struck in February seems to be ineffective.

Editor:Xiong Qu