Pakistan hits back against Taliban push

Pakistani forces took back a key town from the Taliban today as warplanes launched an assault on militants in a bid to halt their advance toward the Pakistani capital.

Pakistan is under intense US pressure to take a tougher line against Islamist militants expanding from strongholds along the Afghan border, where al Qaeda leaders including Osama bin Laden may also be hiding.

In recent days, government forces have begun trying to drive the Taliban back into the Swat Valley, from where they had pushed out under cover of a shaky peace pact struck in February.

Helicopters dropped troops near Daggar, the main town in the Buner district, and in neighbouring areas early today. The commandos secured the town after militants overran the district this month.

The Taliban advance had seen militants push to within 60 miles of Islamabad, prompting the military to send in army jets and helicopters.