ISLAMABAD: Even as the Pakistani military celebrates after seizing a militant stronghold, Taliban insurgents
are switching tactics and hitting cities, honing brutal tactics to maximise carnage and force Islamabad to back off.

Pakistan has been rocked by 14 bomb blasts, killing over 80 people in urban areas, since it launched its assault against the Taliban in the north-west at the end of April.

The military said last Saturday it now controlled the main town of Mingora in Swat Valley, a significant milestone in the ongoing offensive.

But the rebels are striking back in cities like Peshawar, 200km from Mingora and once shielded from major attacks.

"They are taking this war to the cities, hoping to build up enough pressure on the government to halt the military activity," security analyst Hasan Askari said.

"The Taliban challenge now threatens routine life and commercial activity in cities... Allied extremist groups are facilitating their agenda," he added.

Attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, executing commando- style assaults armed with suicide vests, vehicle bombs, guns and rockets.

Over the last two weeks in Peshawar, bombs have exploded outside a cinema, near shops, at a checkpoint and even alongside a bus full of children.

In Lahore, Pakistan's entertainment capital, a bomb, gun and grenade assault killed 24 people and damaged the provincial headquarters of Pakistan's top spy agency.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban militant group claimed responsibility, telling people to leave cities as there will be more violence.

North-west expert Rahimullah Yusufzai said the Taliban will target civilian targets further as public opinion turns - for the first time - in favour of Pakistan's military operation.

Newspaper columnist Shafqat Mehmood said the Taliban are becoming more desperate as the military
onslaught progresses. It may have already killed 1,200 rebels.

"Under pressure (they) will employ any tactic to cause maximum damage. Urban terrorism is one of those tactics," said Mr Mehmood. Such attacks are also harder for the overstretched security forces to counter.

"It is difficult to patrolmarkets and streets," he added. Alarmingly, the government has no particular strategy to curb attacks on cities, Mr Yusufzai said, warning that he did not see an end to the urban bloodshed any time soon.