Ijaz Muhammad / AP Photo
Seeking to put an end to terror attacks that have killed more than 150 people in several cities in recent days, Pakistan moved some 30,000 troops into the Taliban's home base of South Wazirstan on Saturday. The offensive follows several weeks of air and artillery attacks against Taliban positions. Tens of thousands of civilians had fled the area after the military dropped leaflets telling them to leave. Phone lines were down in the region on Saturday, so information is scarce, but the Associated Press reports that five soldiers and 11 militants have already been killed. Officials say the offensive’s top target is Qari Hussein, a Mehsud ally who is considered a mastermind of suicide bombings. The region borders Afghanistan and the U.S. government has long pressured Pakistan to take action against the militants, whose territory is considered a sanctuary for terrorists.