Islamabad, Nov.3 Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that the on-going military ffensive against the Taliban, in its stronghold South Waziristan, has been successful as it has served a body blow to the extremists in their own backyard.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the PM House here, Kayani said the operation Rah-e-Nijat has broken the back of the militants.

According to sources privy to the meeting, Kayani told Gilani that the South Waziristan offensive has entered its decisive phase and the troops have gained sufficient ground inside the extremist's den.

"The army is slowly achieving its objectives and targets in the offensive and national security would be ensured at all costs," The Nation quoted Kayani, as saying.

Terming extremists as the 'termites of society', Gilani expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the security forces in the offensive, and said that the government is pledged to eliminate the insurgents at all cost.

"Terrorists are the enemies of humanity having no fear of God. They are targeting innocent people after panicking due to the ightening of noose around them," sources quoted Gilani, as saying. (ANI)