A military statement said Kayani spent the day in FATA on the Afghan border meeting troops and commanders, leading to speculation that the new offensive into the region, suspected to be the hideout of top Taliban and al-Qaeda commanders, could be ready to unroll.

Even as Kayani was assessing his troops preparedness, for what could be the toughest challenge faced by his Army in more than three decades, heavy artillery guns pounded militant positions in the volatile region.

The artillery targeted key bases of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. There were no reports of casualties among the militants. The Army also strengthened its presence in the adjoining North Waziristan Agency, reports said.

“Pakistan Army is executing a deliberate plan to achieve re-establishment of the writ of the state, while ensuring minimum loss to life and property,” Kayani said.

A close aide of Pakistani Taliban commander in Swat, Maulana Fazlullah, was reportedly killed in the military operation. The death of Shah Dauran, also the Pakistani Taliban’s deputy chief in Swat, was confirmed by Government sources, Geo News channel reported. The NWFP Government had last month announced a reward of Rs 15 million for information leading to his capture.

Kayani’s visit to the new front came as Army is wrapping up more than six-week-long operations against Taliban in Swat, Dir and Buner and is preparing to target Baitullah Mehsud.

Meanwhile, Turkistan Bhitani, a Taliban commander opposed to Mehsud, on Thursday told reporters in Dera Ismail Khan that he would continue his fight till the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief and his group are eliminated.