Pakistan discusses S. Waziristan offensive

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Pakistani officials wrapped up a high-level security meeting on Friday to discuss the terrorist threat and the military offensive in South Waziristan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and army Chief of Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani met with key Cabinet ministers, intelligence officials and leaders from the tribal provinces, Pakistan's newspaper The Nation reports.

Pakistan launched a major military offensive into the tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan during the weekend to tackle a growing insurgent threat.

The Pakistani Taliban vowed revenge for the death of their leader Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in August.

The month of October has been particularly violent in Pakistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for a series of high-profile raids throughout the country.

Three separate attacks killed more than 12 people in Pakistan on Friday, including a car bombing at a restaurant in Peshawar.

Sources to The Nation said at least 19 militants were killed and more than 10 were wounded in attacks on militants in South Waziristan in the latest fighting.

Forces said they closed key access points in the region and established checkpoints along major roadways.

U.S. and Pakistani forces have shared intelligence information taken from unmanned surveillance drones monitoring the border regions. It emerged Friday that the Pakistanis have accepted U.S military intelligence for its operations in South Waziristan.

The Nation notes the intelligence information is separate from missile strikes coordinated by the CIA.