Islamabad: Two Pakistani soldiers and six suspected al-Qaeda militants were killed as security forces launched a fresh offensive against the ultras in the South Waziristan region bordering Afghanistan today (Nov 9).

Today's offensive coincides with the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage to hold talks with top leadership, in the first high-level interaction between the US and Pakistan after President George W Bush's re-election.

The casualties took place when the security force backed by helicopter gun-ships launched a major offensive against the al-Qaeda militants, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Shaukat Sultan said.

The operation was launched after the militants fired rockets at the military positions last night in Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan.

The Army has been unsuccessfully trying to persuade tribesmen protecting several hundred suspected foreign militants to hand them over for "registration".

Instead, the militants have been digging in, staging lightning strikes against the military. They accuse the security forces of fighting against them on behalf of the Americans who are continuing to mount anti-Taliban operations across the rugged border in Afghanistan.

President Musharraf said earlier this year that between 500-600 al-Qaeda members were hiding in the South Waziristan semi-autonomous area.