South Waziristan:
Thousands are fleeing the Taliban stronghold of south of Waziristan, where Pakistan's army is now locked in a fierce gunbattle with militants in a massive operation that began early on Saturday. Communication lines have been jammed and journalists have little or no access to the region.
Around 40,000 troops have been sent in from three different directions, backed by air power. But they're facing strong resistance.
The latest operation comes after two weeks of terror attacks that killed over 175 people across the country. Experts say around 10,000 militants are based in south Waziristan along with 1500 foreign fighters from Central Asia.
"This is a decisive action and it could go on for about six to eight weeks. The difference between this operation and the previous operation which was undertaken in 2004 and then later, 2008 in South Waziristan is that this time the army is determined to keep the control of that area. The last two operations they pulled out from the area after a massive attack, but the Taliban who had gone to the mountains came back and reoccupied that area," said Zahid Hussain, analyst.
For India, which is watching closely, the real concern is the Taliban in Punjab.
In Islamabad, there is a tense, uneasy calm with concerns of more terror strikes.
Since 2001, the army's three attempts to dislodge Taliban fighters from South Waziristan have ended in truces that left the Taliban in control. This time the military has said there will be no deals.
Around 40,000 troops have been sent in from three different directions, backed by air power. But they're facing strong resistance.
The latest operation comes after two weeks of terror attacks that killed over 175 people across the country. Experts say around 10,000 militants are based in south Waziristan along with 1500 foreign fighters from Central Asia.
"This is a decisive action and it could go on for about six to eight weeks. The difference between this operation and the previous operation which was undertaken in 2004 and then later, 2008 in South Waziristan is that this time the army is determined to keep the control of that area. The last two operations they pulled out from the area after a massive attack, but the Taliban who had gone to the mountains came back and reoccupied that area," said Zahid Hussain, analyst.
For India, which is watching closely, the real concern is the Taliban in Punjab.
In Islamabad, there is a tense, uneasy calm with concerns of more terror strikes.
Since 2001, the army's three attempts to dislodge Taliban fighters from South Waziristan have ended in truces that left the Taliban in control. This time the military has said there will be no deals.
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