Islamabad: Pakistani troops captured a key Taliban stronghold killing at least 80 militants in fierce battles in the troubled north-western tribal belt, the army said on Wednesday, even as Islamabad prepared to mobilise funds for some two million civilians displaced by the fighting.
Security forces occupied Sultanwas village in Buner district, which had been taken over by the Taliban last month, after ferocious skirmishes.
At least 80 militants and one soldier were killed in the fighting while nine security personnel were injured.
"Security forces cleared Sultanwas last night after intense clashes," the military said.
The capture of Sultanwas was significant as the Taliban occupied the village after crushing resistance offered by local residents by mounting a suicide attack, chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told a news briefing.
Amid mounting concerns over the humanitarian crisis in the region, Pakistan will on Thursday host an international donors' meeting to secure funds for around two million refugees.
A top US Navy official overseeing distribution of aid estimated that up to 250,000 displaced civilians are expected to remain in refugee camps till December.