Taliban resistance 'dying down'

ISLAMABAD (Agencies) - The military said Saturday it had killed 12 Taliban militants as government troops pressed a major offensive in the South Waziristan tribal area, while a high-ranking official has claimed that the resistance by the extremists is getting weaker by each passing day.
Some 30,000 troops backed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships launched a fierce air-and-ground offensive into the northwest region three weeks ago and the military has since claimed a series of successes.
It said troops on Friday penetrated into Makeen, the hometown of slain Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud who was killed along with some of his family members in a missile strike fired by a US drone on August 5.
Security forces were also consolidating their positions at Sararogha and its surrounding heights in the rugged mountainous region, the military’s media wing said in a statement.
“In last 24 hours, 12 terrorists have been killed, and five soldiers including two officers were injured,” the statement said.
The strategic town of Sararogha was a former operational base of Mehsud.
Security forces also captured a 30-feet long tunnel and ‘plenty of ammunition has been discovered and destroyed’, it said.
According to ISPR, the security forces have been making advance besides consolidating their regained positions on all the three Axis. On Jandola-Sararogha Axis, security forces are consolidating their positions at Sararogha and surrounding heights while expansion of perimeter of security being undertaken.
During clearance of compound in north of Sararogha, four terrorists, hiding in the compound, were killed.
On Shakai-Kaniguram Axis, forces are consolidating their positions in all the areas secured so far. Extensive search operations are underway at Ladha and surrounding areas besides recovering huge quantities of arms and ammunition from different areas.
At Tiarza a 30 feet long tunnel along with plenty of ammunition has been discovered and destroyed while during search operation at Topparghai, Siga and huge quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered.