Thousands of Pakistani troops, backed by Air Force, artillery and tanks, have launched a fresh offensive against Taliban fighters in the Kurram tribal region, close to Waziristan, triggering an exodus of hundreds of families.
Thousands of Pakistani troops, backed by Air Force, artillery and tanks, have launched a fresh offensive against Taliban fighters in the Kurram tribal region, close to Waziristan, triggering an exodus of hundreds of families.
A "full-fledged operation" had been launched in the central part of Kurram Agency, a senior unnamed official in the northwestern city of Peshawar was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.
The government had notified 80 sq km in the region as a conflict zone a fortnight ago.
"I have no specific details but the operation has started in the mountainous area," the official said.
Troops were dropped by helicopters in Manato and Zaimukhet areas.
Army and paramilitary forces, backed by the air force, were conducting a joint operation in the areas. Thousands of troops were taking part in the operation, the Dawn quoted its sources as saying.
However, The News daily quoted the chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas as saying the operation had not yet been launched but preparations were underway for taking action against militants in Kurram Agency.
He contended that militants would flee their hideouts if reports about a likely military operation appeared in the media before action was actually started.
But, the daily said the Pakistan Army contingents backed by gunship helicopters, tanks and artillery had moved into troubled spots of Kurram Agency to take on militants affiliated with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan led by Hakimullah Mehsud.
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