Fierce gunbattles were reported raging as Pakistani troops continued to inch deeper into the Taliban's heartland in Waziristan in the country's restive northwest,as a top US military General arrived here to discuss the operations with political and military leaders. "We are closing in on the heartland of (slain Pakistani Taliban chief) Baitullah (Mehsud's) organisation in the area," Chief Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas claimed,acknowledging the presence of al Qaida militants in the area. Having code-named the campaign as 'Rah-e-Nijat' or 'Path to Salvation,' Abbas said Pakistan military was advancing on two axes from the southeast and southwest on Taliban's main defences in the region. "We are also blocking (routes) in the north so that they do not escape towards either North Waziristan or the border area (with Afghanistan)," Abbas said. The Army continued the advance under the cover of a heavy artillery barrage and engaged rebels and foreign fighters linked to al Qaida in fierce gun battles. As the operation in which Pakistani Army is reported to be deploying up to 30,000 troops,entered its third day today,Abbas said it was "progressing well". He said it would be "premature (and) too early to comment on any success or any victory". Army has indicated the operation would last between six and eight weeks,before deep winter sets in. So far,over 60 militants and five soldiers had died in the fighting. Many militants and 11 soldiers were injured,the spokesman said. Abbas said a "sprinkling of Al Qaida" were present in South Waziristan "in the shape of financiers or trainers". He said: "The Uzbeks have a very close linkage with Al Qaida. So therefore the linkages of Al Qaida are visible. There are signatures that Al Qaida is present in this area but not in a very huge number". There were reports that the Pakistan Army had set up five temporary bases near the Afghan border and taken control of the Ingalmall mountain range to block escape routes and disrupt the militants' supply lines. The army used heavy artillery overnight to bombard militant positions at Wana,Serwakai,Jandola and Razmak in the north,south and east of the area of operations,reports from Waziristan said. Combat jets have also been used to hit Taliban hideouts. The Taliban claimed they had inflicted heavy casualties on the security forces but this could not be independently confirmed. Meanwhile,visiting US Central Command chief Gen David Petraeus today met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to discuss the operation in South Waziristan and bilateral defence cooperation. Gilani told Petraeus that Pakistan and the US "should work to bridge the trust deficit," an official spokesman said. He highlighted the Pakistan Army's sacrifices in the war on terror and said it has "the support of the national political leadership in its military action". The premier also said the international community "should come forward with adequate financial assistance for relief and reconstruction" in areas affected by the military operations. The spokesman quoted Petraeus as saying that the US "acknowledges the sacrifices of Pakistan in the war on terror". Petraeus is also scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
