Dera Ismail Khan: Pakistani troops and the Taliban have fought fierce battles in a militant sanctuary near the Afghan border, with both sides claiming early victories in an army campaign that could shape the future of the country's battle against extremism.
The offensive in South Waziristan is expected to be a key topic of discussion Monday as U.S. Sen. John Kerry and U.S. Central Command chief David Petraeus visit Pakistan for talks with military and political leaders.
A Taliban spokesman vowed the Islamist militants would fight to "our last drop of blood" to defend their stronghold in South Waziristan.
The army said Sunday that 60 militants and six soldiers had been killed since the offensive began Saturday in the mountainous, remote region.
