Pakistan determined to eradicate terrorism, says defence minister

After making major policy changes, Pakistan is set to eliminate militant groups in its army operation in the North Waziristan tribal region.

The operation will target insurgents fleeing across to neighbouring Afghanistan, reports the Dawn.

The military offensive would be aimed at the Haqqani network, a group affiliated with the Afghan Taliban based in tribal region for more than 30 years, said Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

The governments of the United States and Afghanistan see the Haqqani network as a major threat to Afghanistan's stability.

Asif said the government would go after all terrorists, and added that no distinction would be made between Pakistan and Afghanistan Taliban.

Pakistan's neighbours and the United States had earlier accused it of supporting jihadist groups in Afghanistan and India.