Pakistan launches offensive against al-Qaida suspects

Pakistan’s army launched a major offensive today against suspected terrorists in a mountainous region near the Afghan border believed used by al-Qaida fugitives.

Terror leader Osama bin Laden is believed to have hideouts in the regions.

It was not clear whether any major arrests were made during the operation, said Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

Brigadier Mehmood Shah, a security official in the tribal areas, said they were focusing on three compounds in Kalosha, a village near the town of Azam Warsak, where 15-20 foreign terror suspects are believed to be holed up. The area is in the deeply conservative tribal region of South Waziristan.

An intelligence official said authorities received word three days ago that a group of armed men believed to be foreigners were in an area. Tribal elders were contacted and asked the men to surrender, but they refused, prompting the military action.

Troops stormed the compound where the men are believed to be holed up early today, the official said.

He said there had been an exchange of fire and that several army helicopters were involved.

American forces were reported to be conducting simultaneous operations on the Afghan side of the border.

South Waziristan is one of the main suspected hideouts for Osama bin Laden and other top al-Qaida fugitives.

Officials in the region have said American planes dropped leaflets in the area yesterday asking residents to cooperate with authorities and turn in any foreign terrorist suspects.

The area is just across the border from the Afghan province of Paktika, one of the main areas of Taliban resistance to US military presence.

The ousted militia has staged several ambushes and frequently launches rockets at US military bases in the area, with fighters retreating across the border into Pakistan after the attacks.