It is the start of a long-expected offensive against Gen Nkunda
The Democratic Republic of Congo army says it has retaken three key towns formerly held by the forces of rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda.
A long-awaited offensive by government forces, with logistical support from the United Nations, began on Monday.
The army deployed helicopter gunships and heavy artillery in the assault on the towns, 40km north-west of Goma.
Gen Nkunda has ignored repeated warnings to relinquish control over areas close to the Rwandan border.
The general claims he is defending his own Tutsi community against Rwandan Hutu rebels responsible for the Rwandan genocide in 1994, who have been roaming eastern DR Congo ever since.
The army says it has taken Nyanzale and Sake and is battling to take full control of the main rebel stronghold of Mushake.
The battle recommenced at dawn on Tuesday with an artillery bombardment.
During a lull in the fighting, the BBC's Arnaud Zajtman spoke to a regional commander who said the army had suffered only a single death compared to 12 rebels during Monday's battles.
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