After eight days of pitched battles, Pakistan army today captured the strategically located hometown of Taliban chief in South Waziristan.Troops entered Kotkai, the hometown of Hakimullah Mehsud and his close aide Qari Hussain, also known as trainer of suicide bombers, late last night after subjecting the village to heavy bombing by fighters and attack helicopters.In the intense battle, 13 militants and two soldiers have been killed, raising the Taliban death toll during Operation Rah-e-Nijat to 163.A military statement said that its forces have been targetting top Taliban leadership. The sources added both Hakimullah and Hussain were not present when the troops entered Kotkai, but they believe that the two commanders are present in the area directing militant operations.As the army operation entered a crucial phase, US drones, today struck a Taliban hideout in Chuhacra village in Bajaur, killing 18 militants including kin of top Taliban commander Maulvi Faqir Mohamad.