Pakistan puts Waziristan offensive in motion

Ahead of a planned ground operation in Pakistan's lawless northwest, the army says its warplanes have bombarded militant hideouts in South Waziristan, killing six.

The fighter jets on Tuesday pounded assumed militant strongholds in Makeen, Ladha and Nawazkot towns, which had also been targeted on Sunday, the army said.

Intelligence and local government officials confirmed the death toll of six militants, adding that five others were also injured in the attack.

"There were airstrikes on Taliban hideouts while heavy artillery was also being used by the troops to pound militant hideouts," AFP quoted local government official Naseer Ullah as saying.

The planned offensive in South Waziristan is preceded by a hostage siege at an army headquarters near Islamabad, which left 23 people dead on the weekend.

The government and military blamed the incident on pro-Taliban insurgents and vowed to launch an all-out offensive in South Waziristan to hunt down militant leaders.