More than 30,000 Pakistani soldiers launched a much-awaited ground offensive in an al-Qaida and Taliban stronghold along the Afghan border early Saturday, officials told The Associated Press. The offensive in South Waziristan follows months of airstrikes intended to soften up militant defenses that have also forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee. The full-scale operation also comes after two weeks of militant attacks that have killed more than 175 people and ramped up the pressure on the army to take on the insurgents. The officials Saturday _ two with intelligence, three with the government and one senior army official _ gave few details but said the troops were pursuing militants holed up in the region, including in major trouble spots such as Ladha and Makeen towns. The army has sent more than 30,000 troops to the region to participate in the combat, said one of the intelligence officials. He said the ground forces were attacking from different directions while helicopter gunships and other aircraft also were bombing various sites. The military has said it already has sealed off many supply and escape routes.
