Islamabad (PTI): Pakistan on Saturday claimed that it has cleared the strategic Bajaur agency bordering Afghanistan of all Taliban militants after a six-month long operation in which air power and artillery was used.

A top Pakistani army general Tariq Khan said that the Taliban fortifications and defences in the region had been dismantled. "We think we have secured this agency. The Taliban have lost their cohesion," Khan was quoted as saying by TV channels.

While events in Waziristan have been catching the eye, Khan said Pakistan military had faced stiffest resistance in Bajaur since joining the 'war on terror' in 2001. Though he did not give out the figures, civilian officials in the region claimed that 1,560 militants had been killed in the operations and more than 2000 injured.

The army losses were put at 97 dead and over 400 wounded. The general said that though some troops would be withdrawn bulk would remain there.

Khan said the army operations in five other districts would end soon. TV channels said there was no independent confirmation of the claims made by the General.