Spokesman: Army has enough strength

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The Pakistani military has enough men and material to mount a prolonged counterinsurgency against the militants, a spokesman said.

Rejecting any concern the military's current campaign in South Waziristan may not be strong enough, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said the force has "sufficient numbers and adequate weaponry" to sustain a successful operation, The Washington Post reported.

Abbas, giving a progress report on the ground and air offensive in which the militants were offering stiff resistance, said the army is also encouraged by public support for the campaign, which began Saturday.

"This is not an area that is alien to us," Abbas said. "We are not an occupying force."

The campaign is led by about 28,000 troops with air and artillery support. The Taliban is estimated to number as many as 10,000 with additional support from about 1,000 foreigners.

The security forces are in a strong position in such places as Kotkai, home of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud and Qari Hussein, whom Abbas described as "the mentor of suicide bombers."

"We suspect the leadership is still there," Abbas said of the region. "They are directing the foot soldiers in this area."

A tribal area intelligence official told the Post the Taliban strategy is to lure the army deep into the region "and then launch attacks from all sides."