Islamabad: As Pakistani Army stepped up attacks on foreign militants holed up in tribal areas, a hard-line Islamic party today demanded an immediate halt to military operation against al-Qaeda suspects in the region bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistan Government should issue orders to immediately halt the operation in South Waziristan tribal agency where over 35 militants and 15 Government troops were killed in fighting during past two days, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, acting President of the Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) told reporters in Islamabad.

Ahmed, who is also the Chief of Jamat-e-Islami party, said that instead of fighting the militants the Government should honour its agreement with the tribal elders, which warranted the tribals to form a voluntary Army to hunt the militants.

His comments followed reports from Waziristan that Pakistan Army rushed more troops and helicopters to the tribal region to step up operations.

Pakistan recently said it had deployed around 70,000 troops to prevent the movement of al-Qaeda militants in border areas.

State-run PTV showed the footage of Pakistani paramilitary troops setting up defensive positions in various populated areas of Wana, the capital of South Waziristan, and its surroundings.