Islamabad, Nov 17 (IANS) Pakistani security forces have cleared the Taliban stronghold of Srarogha in South Waziristan after an intense five-day battle in which 180 militants and seven soldiers were killed, disclosed an army officer Tuesday.

Briefing reporters in South Waziristan's largest town of Wana, Brigadier Shafiq, the commander of the Rah-e-Nijat military operation, said troops were now advancing towards Makeen, another stronghold of the militants, and the area would also be cleared within a few days, Online news agency reported.

Several commanders of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as also Uzbeks and Arabs were among the 180 dead militants, he said, adding that the forces had also

recovered a huge cache of weapons, 70 landmines and 21 suicide jackets.

Search and clearance operations had begun in Srarogha and would end in one week, Shafiq said.

Replying to a question, he said seven soldiers had died and 14 injured in the Srarogha operation.

The Pakistani security forces had gone into action against the Taliban in South Waziristan last month, triggering a series of terror attacks by the militants.

The northwestern town of Peshawar itself has seen seven attacks since Oct 5 in which over 220 people have been killed and more than 400 injured.

The city witnessed this year's worst terror attack Oct 28 when a massive explosion in a crowded market killed 117 people and injured over 200.