Islamabad: The Pakistan Army on Saturday destroyed a stronghold of Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan as President Asif Ali Zardari underlined his determination to fight the terrorists to the end.
The military said it carried out air strikes in the militant stronghold of South Waziristan in retaliation for a suicide attack that killed a leading anti-Taliban scholar even as 41 rebels and a soldier were killed in fresh fighting in Swat valley and nearby areas.
"We are fighting a war for our sovereignty," Zardari said, responding to a spate of deadly terrorist attacks that have killed dozens across Pakistan.
In a televised address, the President called on the people to unite behind the anti-Taliban cause.
"We will continue this war until the end, and we will win it at any cost", he stressed.
The number of casualties in the air strikes today could not be ascertained, the military said in a statement.
TV news channels reported the security forces had destroyed the militant hideouts in South Waziristan, a stronghold of Taliban commander Mehsud.
The military said 35 militants were killed during an operation in Bannu to secure Zindi Akbar Khan, FC Fort Janikhel and the area up to Marwat canal.