Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Nov 3 The Pakistani military today claimed to have wrested the Taliban stronghold of Sararogha in South Waziristan, where 21 militants and a soldier were killed in fierce clashes over the past 24 hours.

Soldiers had "commenced the sanitisation of Sararogha" and several improvised explosive devices had been neutralised, the military said.

Sixteen militants and a soldier were killed in clashes around Sararogha, where the army believes the main Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leaders are holed up.

A soldier was injured in a mine blast and two suspects were captured in the same area, the military said.

Five militants were killed in clashes around the militant stronghold of Kaniguram, which was recently captured by troops.

After securing Kaniguram, troops had launched search and clearance operations in nearby areas.

Security forces also took hold of adjoining heights though they continued to be targeted by the militants.

- (Agencies)