The Pakistani army said on Tuesday it had seized a key Taliban and al-Qaeda complex and killed 75 militants, including fighters from Chechnya and Uzbekistan.
"There were Afghans, Chechens, Egyptians, and Uzbeks killed in the operation," Major General Tariq Khan told journalists during a guided tour of the base, which numbered around 150 caves.
The base is situated in Damadola, in the Bajaur tribal region. Khan said the operation to take it had begun in January.
Pakistan has been under pressure from Washington to do more to root out militants in its northwestern tribal belt.
Khan also said the operation was a serious blow to the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
Violence surged in the country in 2009, with Taliban militants staging regular attacks on provincial government officials, police and civilians and planting roadside devices as part of its fight against U.S. and NATO troops.
NEW DELHI, March 2 (RIA Novosti)
