Pakistani jets and artillery pounded Taliban bases for the second day today killing 60 militants in the lawless Waziristan region as ground forces continued their push into the strongholds of the Taliban and captured two key towns from them despite stiff resistance.<br/>Five soldiers were also killed and 11 injured in clashes that erupted yesterday after thousands of troops began advancing from three directions towards areas inhabited by the Mehsud tribe, considered the main base of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan led by Hakimullah Mehsud.<br/>The Inter-Services Public Relations said 60 militants had been killed over the past 24 hours during the offensive in South Waziristan.<br/>Security forces have taken control of Spinkay Raghzai and Ghazai areas in South Waziristan following fierce fighting. Fighting is going on around Sherwangi, where security forces have been facing stiff resistance since yesterday.<br/>Twenty militants and a soldier were killed in this area, the military said. Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas has said the offensive has been launched to "dismantle the network" of the<br/>Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and to flush out militants in South Waziristan who were responsible for 80 per cent of recent attacks in the country. The military's casualty figures could not be verified as all access to South Waziristan has been cut off