'The back of anti-state and anti-Islam elements has been broken,' Malik told reporters in Islamabad after holding a meeting with tribal leaders from the country's restive north-western region bordering Afghanistan, where government forces are pursuing anti-Taliban offensives.

Malik said troops were closing in on Fazlullah, adding that 'he can't run'.

The minister's remarks came two days after the military announced the capture of Fazullah's spokesman Muslim Khan.

According to the army, Khan was arrested along with four other militants, including a senior leader, near Swat's main town of Mingora.