Schools and colleges in Lahore and Islamabad have been shut for a week, fearing a backlash of Pakistan's multi-pronged attack on militants in South Waziristan.

Meanwhile, Gen David Petraeus, head of the US Central Command, arrived in Pakistan on Monday for talks with army commanders.

Pakistani forces have made steady gains in Taliban strongholds in South Waziristan over the last 24 hours.

60 Taliban fighters have been reportedly killed in the offensive, which has taken the lives of five security personnel and wounded 11 others. More than 100,000 people have fled South Waziristan.

Army officials say the area is dotted with a lot of improvised explosive devices and mines.

In Lahore on Sunday, around two thousand people took to the streets against perceived American involvement in Pakistani affairs, and against the ongoing operation in South Waziristan.

The protest was organised by the Jamaat-e-Islami, a Pakistani Islamic political party, which was founded in Lahore and has its headquarters there.

Protesters waved banners and chanted anti-American slogans.