Fierce fighting is taking place in Pakistan's South Waziristan region between government forces and Islamist militants.

After months of preparation, Pakistan launched a major ground offensive on Saturday morning. The government forces came up against fierce resistance from the militants and both sides have already suffered dozens of dead and injured.

Taliban rebels and al-Qaeda units based in South Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan, regularly launch attacks on targets in Pakistan. Over the last few weeks more than 150 people have been killed in such attacks.

Pakistani army sources say they intend to weed out the militants, led by Taliban chief Hakimullah Meshud, and establish the rule of law in the region. Nearly 100,000 people fled the area prior to the start of the offensive and a curfew is now in force there.

photo: civilians flee South Waziristan (ANP)