ISLAMABAD: Nineteen suspected militants and six troops were killed in clashes in South Waziristan on Monday.
 
An army statement said troops were progressing on three fronts in South Waziristan, but were meeting resistance on all of them. It said over the last 24 hours, 19 militants and six soldiers had been killed.

The heaviest fighting was reported on the advance towards the Taliban stronghold of Sararogha after the military claimed its first major success in capturing Kotkai, the hometown of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud.

In the fight to secure Ghalai village, on the main road from Kotkai to Sararogha, six soldiers and 10 militants were killed, the military said.

Troops also secured an important road junction en route to Sararogha and the ridges that dominate to the east and west.

Around 30,000 troops are taking part in the offensive against an estimated 10-12,000 militants in the semi-autonomous and lawless tribal belt.—Agencies