Islamabad  - Pakistani troops captured a strategic Taliban town as they pressed ahead with an offensive near the Afghan border, Pakistani security officials said Saturday.

The offensive in the South Waziristan region is a crucial test for the government that has vowed to defeat the militants and establish its authority in the lawless tribal badlands.

Nearly 30,000 soldiers backed by jet aircraft and artillery support are taking on an estimated 10,000 battle-hardened Taliban, including up to 1,500 al-Qaeda fighters, mostly Uzbeks.

Ground forces had been engaged in intense battles for four days in their efforts to overrun Kotkai, the hometown of Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud and his senior aide Qari Hussain, known as "the mentor of suicide bombers."

"We have captured Kotkai and troops are combing the area to eliminate any holed-up Taliban," a security official in the region said on the condition of anonymity.

Another official in Rawalpindi, where the army has its headquarters, confirmed the takeover but did not provide any details.

According to the army, 142 Taliban militants have been killed since the infantry began their push into the Taliban heartland October 17. The security forces have suffered 20 fatalities, the military said.

Casualty figures could not be verified independently because the region is closed to journalists.

Government authorities are bracing for a violent backlash from the militants, and stringent security measures have been put in place across the country in the wake of terrorist threats.

So far this month, more than 180 people have been killed in a string of terrorist attacks that have targeted police facilities, United Nations offices, a university and even the army's headquarters. (dpa)