Pakistan: 12 militants killed in offensive
November 07, 2009 05:59 EST

ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Pakistan's military says its soldiers have killed 12 militants in gunbattles over the past 24 hours in the nation's offensive in the Taliban sanctuary of South Waziristan.

The military says while it has taken control of two former militant strongholds, there are still clashes erupting. The army is also fighting for full control of what it calls the "nerve center" of the Pakistani Taliban.

The army says it has found large stashes of weapons and ammunition, some hidden in deep tunnels along hills.

It's impossible to verify the claims, because journalists aren't allowed in the region, except on orchestrated visits.

A spokesman says Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is warning lawmakers that the fight against militants "is a long and tough battle" because the nation has "to not only fight the extremists but also the extremist mindset."