Tackling Terrorists

" The army is stepping up and offensive on the terrorists who control South Waziristan it is seen. As the most crucial battle against al-Qaeda and Taliban militants to date. Troops are fighting near the Afghan border for the third consecutive day. Earlier today US Central Command chief David Petraeus met with Pakistani prime minister -- money. In the capital city -- is streaming for us live from Islamabad. What's the latest on all of this --"

" gentle very latest as we had a first press conference from the Pakistani military since this operation started on early on Saturday morning. And it figures coming out now 78 militants have been killed so far but also nine Pakistani soldiers were killed in this fighting down in South Waziristan. Now we know that they've been able to push into the military has been able to push you -- some of those strongholds. Of the Taliban and al-Qaeda in South Waziristan there were able to disable and destroys an anti aircraft weapons that the Taliban had. But there's been some heavy fighting that's obviously reflected by that high militant killed -- number. Now the the general who gave his briefing today said. What they're facing is half conventional warfare half guerrilla warfare that's because they're the Taliban are using I -- these are remote controlled bomb so this pace is going to be. Pretty slow -- going toward these main targets another militants have also position themselves in the mountains South Waziristan is a very rugged area. And there's one area right now in the mounds that they're keying in on that is the headquarters for the lead to suicide bomber trainer. That they're looking at right now to try and wipe out on the general saying right now who gave his briefing that there are 36 hours ahead of pace where they thought this operation would be at this stage so. You know it's gonna be months -- before this and so 36 hours of his early states could very well evaporate the right now they're ahead of schedule and they're happy about that. Now one thing that general said it kind of underlining the importance of this operation. 80% he said of -- terrorist acts in Pakistan over the last three years were -- plan -- down in South Waziristan so that shows the importance of getting these militants and wiping them out to down in South Waziristan. Now some off the battlefield news today. I'm John as you said earlier. General David Petraeus was in town today he's the head of cent com he met with the prime minister Yousuf -- he also met with some of his military counterparts. In addition to that in separate meetings. Senator John Kerry was in town as well he is the co author of an aide to bill to Pakistan seven billion dollars over the next five years now there's been some controversy over that they'll hear Pakistan. Some in the military said that there are strings attached. That infringe on this -- country's sovereignty so key Senator Kerry was here to try and smooth out some of those rare ripples in that the rhetoric here coming out of the military. Right now -- focuses on that battle down in South Waziristan. Jon Scott -- live in Islamabad thanks -- to Afghan us."