ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan's military continued its assault Thursday on militants in Taliban-held areas, its chief spokesman told reporters. Pakistani army trucks move military equipment into the troubled Buner district Thursday. So far, 14 militants have been killed in the past 24 hours, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said. The operation is still ongoing in the districts of Dir and Buner, which was recently seized by the Taliban in violation of an agreement with Pakistan's government. Pakistani forces have completely secured Daggar, the main town in Buner and the scene of heavy fighting on Wednesday, Abbas said. The Daggar operation resulted in the deaths of 50 militants, but freed 18 Frontier Corps personnel who had been abducted by militants, he said. Fifty-two of their colleagues are still believed to be held by their suspected Taliban kidnappers.
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Pakistani military intensifies drive against Taliban in restive tribal regions
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Recent military operation has resulted in more than 180 militant casualties
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Has not stopped U.S. unmanned drone attacks on Pakistan's soil
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Barack Obama "gravely concerned about the situation in Pakistan"
Speaking at a news conference capping his 100th day in office, @placeholder said the United States has "huge national security interests in making sure that Pakistan is stable" and doesn't end up a "nuclear-armed militant state."