Pakistan offensive continues against Taliban

Pakistan has pressed its anti-terror offensive deeper into Taliban strongholds near the Afghan border, and claims to have killed 42 more insurgents.

This latest assault is seen as crucial in defeating extremism in the country.

Pakistan's military spokesman, Athar Abbas, said on Wednesday that Taliban's "leadership is running away, and their fighters are also giving way."

The push into South Waziristan's mountains has triggered a backlash from insurgents. They are trying to bring the war out of the northwestern region, and into the country's cities, in hopes of eroding public and political support.

The military had earlier captured Kotkai, the hometown of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud.