The offensive in South Waziristan has forced thousands of residents to flee [AFP]

The army has said that 78 rebel fighters and nine soldiers have died since the assault began on Saturday, but has given few other details.

On Monday, military officials said troops had engaged suspected Taliban fighters on three fronts with government jets bombing other positions near the Afghan border.

The Pakistani Taliban has also claimed victories in the fighting, but it is virtually impossible to verify the situation on the ground or the number of casualties because the army has blocked media access to the region.

Residents flee

"The forces are carrying out a successful operation. And we will complete the operation within the timescale," Major General Athar Abbas, a Pakistani military spokesman told reporters at a press conference in Islamabad, the capital.

His comments were backed up by Qamaruz Zaman Kaira, the country's information minister, who ruled out any chances of a negotiation now that the offensive had begun.

"For negotiated settlement, there's only one way," he said.

"They should surrender their arms before the law-enforcement agencies, they should surrender themselves. And then, if there is any justified need, a justified dialogue and discussion, that can be made but not at this stage."

The fighting meanwhile has forced thousands of civilians to flee the area, raising fears that the offensive could trigger a refugee crisis.

One refugee, Fazlu Rehman, told the Associated Press, he and his family had little choice but to leave their homes.

"The fighting is going on there. There are lots of bombardments of houses, of mosques, of madrassas [religious schools], of everything," he said.

"And so we don't have any choice except to leave the area. We're going to find some safe place."

No deal

The army had launched brief offensives in South Waziristan before, the first in 2004 when it suffered heavy casualties before striking a peace deal.

But Pakistan analysts say there was never any chance of a renegotiated peace settlement.

The latest offensive could be the Pakistan military's toughest test and the army will be attempting to prevent Taliban factions across the border in Afghanistan from entering the fight.

Schools closed

Security has been stepped up across the country amid fears that the offensive could trigger reprisal attacks against targets in Pakistan's main cities.

Among measures being taken are the closure of most military schools and colleges across Pakistan for a week.

The decision was announced on Sunday after the Taliban threatened that a school bus may be hijacked, security officials said.

A number of private and government schools were also considering a temporary closure, Pakistani security officials said.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.4