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Saturday, 17, Oct 2009 10:56
By Richard James.
The Pakistan military has begun a large-scale offensive against Taliban militants in the South Waziristan region of the country, local reports have said.
Around 30,000 troops backed by tanks are said to have moved towards the stronghold of Hakimullah Mehsud, the new head of the Pakistan Taliban.
The move follows days of attacks by militants in several Pakistan cities leaving more than 150 people dead.
Thousands of people had fled South Waziristan in anticipation of the ground assault which was preceded by air and artillery strikes.
The army has spent months gathering troops near the militants' stronghold, ever since the governor of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province ordered the offensive back in June.
The Waziristan region is commonly used by insurgents to launch attacks across the north-east of Pakistan, as well as into eastern Afghanistan.