Islamabad: Pakistani troops killed up to 60 Taliban militants in the northwestern valley of Buner, raising the insurgents' death toll to more than 100 in four days of fighting, an army spokesman said on Friday.
"Between 55 and 60 militants have been killed during the last 24 hours in Buner," Major General Athar Abbas told reporters in Islamabad.
Two paramilitary soldiers were also killed while eight were injured, he said.
Paramilitary and military troops launched an air and ground assault in Buner Tuesday to expel Taliban fighters who had moved dangerously close to the capital of nuclear-armed Pakistan by invading the scenic valley 100 kilometres north-east of Islamabad in early April.
The Taliban's expansion set off alarms in Western capitals, particularly in Washington, which has pressed Pakistan to go all-out against the militants.
Abbas said the troops were facing "stiff resistance" from the militants, who are "well-prepared and well-armed."
He said the rebels tried to target security forces with car, truck and motorbike suicide bombs but these attacks were foiled.
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