Security officials in Pakistan say the army has captured a key Taliban town of Kotkai.
The town, in South Waziristan, is home to top Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, the BBC reports.
Fierce fighting has taken place there since Pakistan launched a large-scale offensive against militant strongholds in the region last week.
The BBC reports that journalists are being denied access to the area and cannot verify the reports.
South Waziristan is considered to be the main sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan.
Pakistan launched its offensive after a wave of militant attacks, believed to have been orchestrated from South Waziristan, killed more than 150 people.
Up to 100,000 civilians have fled the conflict zone, the army says.
