Islamabad: Pakistani troops today (Mar 18, 2004) launched a new ground and aerial offensive against al-Qaeda and Taliban ultras in South Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan, where 40 persons, including 16 paramilitary personnel were killed in fighting two days ago.

The troops have used helicopter gunships in the operation in the tribal region against al-Qaeda suspects and local tribesmen giving shelter to foreign militants, Defence spokesman Major General Shoukat Sultan told reporters in Islamabad.

He said the authorities in South Waziristan made announcements through loudspeakers telling the people to leave the area prior to operation. "The operation was launched after the people left the area," Sultan added.

Stating that the regular force of the Pakistan Army have been deployed along with the paramilitary forces, Sultan added that the new operation was backed by helicopters and the troops are targeting the suspects, reportedly entrenched in a large area.

"Thursday's operation is continuation of the operation first launched on March 16th," he said adding, paramilitary troops had suffered major casualties on Tuesday (Mar 16, 2004) as they were caught by surprise by the ultras. "The militants and their supporters showed stiff resistance on first day of operation."

Secretary of the Federally Administered Tribal Agency, Brigadier Mehmood Shah told local TV networks that militants used heavy weaponry including rockets at the helicopters. A number of Uzbeks, Chechens and Chinese were part of a large group of militants who were resisting the Army in the border villages with Afghanistan, he said.