In Pakistan, troops pressed on with their offensive against the Taliban in the restive Waziristan tribal belt. At least 24 militants and two soldiers have been killed in fresh clashes. The death toll has risen to 157 in the intense fighting which entered the sixth day today. The Army said 24 militants have been killed since yesterday, including 13 gunned down during intense fighting to secure Tor Ghundai, a strategic location overlooking Kotkai.Eleven militants were killed when troops repulsed an attack near Sherwangi. A soldier also died in the same attack.Another soldier was killed and one more injured when militants attacked a security forces camp at Razmak in North Waziristan with rockets. Military officials have said progress in the offensive in South Waziristan has been slower than expected due to the rugged mountainous terrain and stiff resistance put up by the Taliban.At many places, troops have had to clear heights on which the militants had mounted heavy anti-aircraft guns. The military has used helicopter gunships and jets to bombard Taliban positions, especially in the Ladha and Makeen areas.