WANA, June 4: Army and paramilitary troops started massive mobilization in the South Waziristan tribal region on Friday amidst apprehensions of a fresh military operation against foreign militants and their protectors.

Eyewitnesses said that regular and paramilitary troops were digging trenches around the Wana and Azam Warsak bazaar. Heavy weapons including artillery were being mounted on hilltops in Shin Warsak where security forces had fought a pitched battle with foreign militants and their tribal supporters in March, which resulting in a large number of casualties on both sides.

Apart from extensive troops movement, helicopter gunships also were seen hovering in the area, which created panic among locals. Sources said that more troops were on their way to reinforce positions in various areas in the region.

Commander of 11th Corps Lt-Gen Safdar Hussain also visited Wana and the adjoining North Waziristan region on Thursday to review the situation. Meanwhile, an extraordinary jirga of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe was held at Azam Warsak, some 15 kilometres from Wana on Friday.

However, the main Yargulkhel Wazir sub-tribe didn't attend the jirga. The tribe is being accused of sheltering foreign militants in the region along the Afghan border.

The jirga unanimously decided to raise a lashkar of 4,000 tribal volunteers who will launch an operation against suspected foreign militants in Shakai area. However, the jirga has yet to decide a date and place for a fresh operation against the militants.

Before the jirga, a 40-member committee of tribal elders met administrator South Waziristan Asmatullah Gandapurand discussed future line of action. Theadministration is forcing the tribe to produce all foreign militants in the area for registration.