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Pakistan army strikes tribal area Pakistan army strikes tribal area
(about 6 hours later)
Pakistani troops, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, have launched an attack on a militant base in North Waziristan, army officials say.Pakistani troops, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, have launched an attack on a militant base in North Waziristan, army officials say.
The operation in the Degan area, 27km (17 miles) from the town of Miranshah, began at the crack of dawn. The operation was in the Degan area, 27km (17 miles) from the main town of the region, Miranshah.
Fighting is still going on, according to reports, but there is no information yet on any casualties. Fighting lasted up to four hours but there was no word on casualties.
North Waziristan, a tribal region that borders Afghanistan, is seen as a safe haven for the Taleban and al-Qaeda. The US says North Waziristan, a tribal region that borders Afghanistan, is a safe haven for the Taleban and al-Qaeda but Pakistan denies the claim.
The security forces targeted the militant compound in Degan, the main town in North Waziristan, after receiving "credible intelligence that miscreants were present there", Maj Gen Waheed Arshad was quoted as saying by Associated Press news agency.
Witnesses in the Degan area told Reuters news agency that helicopters destroyed three houses. They said the army was using mortars and artillery too.
A Reuters reporter in Miranshah said he had seen eight helicopter gunships heading in the direction of Degan.
Violence has escalated in Pakistan and more than 200 people have been killed since troops stormed the radical Red Mosque in Islamabad in July.Violence has escalated in Pakistan and more than 200 people have been killed since troops stormed the radical Red Mosque in Islamabad in July.
Pakistan anger
The security forces targeted the militant compound in Degan after receiving "credible intelligence that miscreants were present there", Maj Gen Waheed Arshad told the Associated Press news agency.
Witnesses in Degan told Reuters news agency that helicopters destroyed three houses. They said the army was using mortars and artillery too.
A Reuters reporter in Miranshah said he had seen eight helicopter gunships heading in the direction of Degan.
At least three civilians were hurt in the shelling but most people had left the affected area, having feared an assault.
The attack came as President Pervez Musharraf called for a comprehensive strategy to deal with radicals.
Gen Musharraf was meeting a visiting US senator, Richard Durbin, in the southern port city of Karachi.
Pakistan has been angered about recent statements coming out of the US, particularly from presidential candidate Barack Obama, who said he would consider direct attacks against militants within Pakistan.
Gen Musharraf said: "The president pointed out that certain recent US statements were counter-productive to the close cooperation and coordination between the two countries in combating the threat of terrorism."
On Monday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said the issue could threaten relations.
"There is no al-Qaeda or Taleban safe haven in Pakistan," she said.