Ahead of army offensive, scores flee Waziristan

Pakistan says thousands of civilians have fled the South Waziristan tribal region over fears of an Army offensive against pro-Taliban militants in the area.

Authorities have registered 90,000 people from South Waziristan on the Afghan border who have been displaced.

The recent wave of militant attacks in Pakistan has heightened fears that Islamabad will launch a retaliatory offensive against insurgents.

Militants have launched numerous attacks over the past couple of years, mostly aimed at government and security forces.

In June, the Pakistani government promised to crack down on Pro-Taliban militant strongholds in the country's troubled northwest.

The Pakistani army has been preparing for a major operation in the South Waziristan region after it forced out militants from the scenic Swat valley back in September.