Army to decide timing of Waziristan strike

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The Pakistani army chief of staff will decide the appropriate time to launch an offensive against militants in South Waziristan, the interior minister said.

Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik said there is unanimity among political leaders that military forces should launch attacks on militants operating in South Waziristan.

He said security officials were on high alert in order to thwart any terrorist activity, and efforts were being made to make sure citizens were safe.

The timing of any operation, however, rests with military officials, reports Pakistan's News International media agency.

Pakistani fighter jets began bombing suspected Taliban hideouts in South Waziristan earlier this week ahead of what is considered an imminent military operation.

Islamabad had planned an earlier military intervention into South Waziristan but backed off following the death of Baitullah Mehsud, the head of the Taliban, in an August airstrike by the United States.

Taliban leaders had issued warnings of retribution for the Mehsud assassination following the release of a video on Pakistani television showing the body of Mehsud.

The Taliban took credit for a series of high-profile operations that occurred during the past few days, including an explosion at the offices of the World Food Program in Islamabad that killed five employees of the United Nations.

Malik said security forces had arrested two militants connected to the World Food Program attack, adding all signs point to militants in South Waziristan.