'Pak may launch military offensive in N.Waziristan Agency in 6 months'

Washington, Dec 21 (ANI): Pakistan's military officials are mulling over carrying out a deadly offensive against the hiding militants and fleeing insurgents in the North Waziristan Agency (NWA), an American TV channel has claimed.

Citing deep-rooted sources in Pakistan Army, the channel also claimed that the said operation might take as less as six months to commence, Geo News reports.

The recent drone strikes were aimed at targeting insurgents that have fled towards northern tribal areas, it added.

A Pakistan army official told the US channel that the number of escaping insurgents was on a rise in the North Waziristan district, and according to him, the fleeing insurgents were taking shelter in the Terah Valley.

He also told the channel that the Pakistan Army was planning to launch a military offensive in the North Waziristan district, as insurgents were using the agency as 'safe havens' and 'protected sanctuaries' to plot and carry out attacks inside Afghanistan.

The insurgents hiding in the NWA have launched several terror strikes in Pakistan as well, the army official further said.

"Three US drone attacks also took place in 'Terah Valley' of Khyber Agency on Friday, which killed 57 Taliban," he added.

"Pakistan wants more control over the drone program, as this could help save precious lives of common men in tribal areas," the army official argued.

According to the channel, the Friday drone strikes were the latest and maiden drone attacks in Pakistan's Khyber Agency. (ANI)