Pakistan forces have been involved in another intense battle with militants that has claimed the lives of at least 19 insurgents. Skip related content
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Pakistan forces advance on militants
The offensive in South Waziristan is a response to attacks by al-Qaeda-linked fighters on army headquarters in Peshawar less than two weeks ago.
The latest fighting took place when the Taliban tried to block soldiers advancing through a village from the southeast, towards a major militant base at Sararogha.
One intelligence agency official in the region said: "They put up stiff resistance and used all sort of weapons including rocket-propelled grenades and heavy and light machine guns."
A military spokesman said forces had managed to secure Gharlai village and nearby ridges after the clash in which ten militants and six soldiers were killed.
28,000 troops are part of the military offensive - which is seen as a test of nuclear armed Pakistan's determination to take on Islamists responsible for attacks against the state.
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