Pakistan Launches Second Day Of Offensive In North Waziristan

Pakistani troops, artillery, and helicopter gunships have struck Taliban targets in the country's tribal areas for the second day in a row.

Siraj Ahmed, the highest government official in the region, told Reuters that the offensive targeted the Matchis Camp near the capital of North Waziristan, an area set up to house Afghan refugees but now a hub for local and foreign militants.

Residents said helicopter gunships flattened houses and compounds in the camp while ground forces surrounded the area.

It was not clear how many people were killed or wounded in the May 22 attacks.

Pakistan said at least 60 militants were killed in air strikes in North Waziristan on May 21.

Local residents and officials said thousands had started fleeing toward the garrison town of Bannu in neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.


Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters