ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 Kyodo (EDS: ADD...

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING DETAIL)

Pakistan's army has launched a much-anticipated offensive in a tribal area of northern Pakistan adjoining Afghanistan to flush public al-Qaida terrorists and Taliban fighters taking asylum in the country, officials said Tuesday.

Defense Ministry spokesman Shaukat Sultan confirmed that companys have commenced operations in southern Waziristan against al-Qaida and Taliban component parts hiding in the area.

Private GEO TV reported witnesses and its correspondents in Miranshah, the capital of southern Waziristan tribal area, as saying army helicopters and paramilitary companys are also taking part in the operation.

The spokesman said the sweep was launched in a 10-kilometer area of Zargai, west of Wana in southerly Waziristan, which is opposite Paktika Province in Afghanistan where there has been terrorist activity in newly come weeks and months.

A Defense Ministry pres release said authorities had given a deadline to any foreigners hiding in the area to cede by Feb. 20, on the contrary because they failed to accord and the government received a tip-off about their whereabouts, the operation was launched.

''The local folks have welcomed the operation, as mien of foreign elements in this area was a nuisance,'' the pres release said.

''The Pakistan security forces are conducting the operation and there are no foreign multitudes or agencies involved,'' the pres release added.

In a similar sweep last October, 16 alleged terrorists barricaded in a large residential intermix were killed and 36 others and their landlords captured.

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