Pakistani soldiers hunt for militants in South Waziristan.

The rugged terrain near the Afghan border makes seizing territorial advantage here a challenge.

But after a week of intense fighting, Pakistan's forces have re-taken an important Taliban-controlled town.

[Major General Athar Abbas, Pakistan's Military Spokesman]:
"The place was a stronghold of terrorists with majority of houses converted into strong bunkers. The town also has a training camp of Qari Hussain who is known as the mentor of suicide bombers. Security forces are in the process of clearing the built up areas from IEDs (improvised explosive devices), mines and booby traps."

And militants are said to be fleeing.

[Major General Athar Abbas, Pakistan's Military Spokesman]:
"Reliable sources have reported that due to the pressure of ongoing operation, there has been a large desertion from the the ranks of terrorists. And also it has been reported that they are trimming their beards and cutting their hair in order to escape from the area."

As a result, Pakistan has stepped up security on all roads leading out of the area.

Civilians taking flight from the war zone are being stringently checked.

In recent weeks, bomb and suicide attacks have left over 150 people dead.

And tens of thousands of residents have now fled their homes.

As the militants come under increasing pressure in South Waziristan, the country is bracing itself for further retaliatory strikes.