Taliban to fight until 'last breath'

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Taliban have vowed to resist military advances in the northwest's Swat Valley until their "last breath".

Washington has pressed Islamabad to crack down on Al-Qaida and Taliban strongholds along the Afghan frontier, saying the militants threaten not only US and NATO troops in Afghanistan, but also Pakistan's existence.

The army said on Sunday it was battling militants on the outskirts of a major Swat city and had entered two other Taliban-held towns. Swat Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said the militants were prepared for any onslaught.