Taliban militants have kidnapped 10 security personnel as Pakistan's offensive against the Islamist fighters ran into fierce resistance in the country's troubled north west.More than 50 armed Taliban stormed a local paramilitary headquarters in Upper Dir - a district so far shielded from the military offensive - and snatched 10 people, officials said.It comes as the military continue to pound Taliban positions for a fourth consecutive day of its air and ground assault, unleashed under US pressure after guerrillas advanced to within 60 miles of the capital, Islamabad.US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has appealed to Congress to release funds for military aid in Pakistan, which is central to Washington's strategy to stop the insurgency in neighbouring Afghanistan.Pakistani artillery targeted hideouts in Lower Dir, although the army had earlier said the battle in that district - where 12 militants were reportedly killed on Thursday - had been won.According to army figures, more than 130 militants have been killed in Operation Black Thunder since tanks, fighter jets and helicopter gunships swung into action in the districts of Lower Dir and Buner.
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