WANA, May 18: Around 1,200 armed volunteers of a tribal lashkar began a search for foreign militants in the South Waziristan tribal region of Azam Warsak about 15 km to the west of this regional headquarters here on Tuesday.

Allagai Wazir, who is heading the lashkar, asked residents in Azam Warsak to expel foreign militants. He said those found sheltering foreign militants would face demolition of their houses, a fine of one million rupees and banishment from the tribal territory.

"Such people will have no rights," Mr Wazir is said to have warned the tribesmen. The lashkar later returned to Wana and is expected to proceed to Raghzai, about 20 km to the west of here, to launch a similar operation there.

Local tribesmen are reported to have claimed that foreign militants had vacated the area and had moved to Shakai, Khamrung and Samtoi and the adjoining Shawal Mountains.

But governments officials overseeing the lashkar's manoeuvres here said they were not satisfied with the explanation and would want the lashkar to start showing results in terms of getting the foreign militants.

The lashkar was launched after talks between the authorities and tribesmen representing their foreign comrades over registration failed. Both sides now accuse each other of violating an agreement reached at Shakai on April 24.

According to the government the agreement required registration of foreign militants in return for an assurance allowing them to live peacefully in the area. Tribesmen now claim the registration of foreign militants was not a part of the agreement.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan army has begun deploying troops at key points on the road from Wana to Jandola, Tiarza, Ladha and Sarwakai. Reports reaching here said that the government had sent in another three brigades to the region, raising the overall strength of the troops to about 30,000 for a possible operation in future.

The deployment of more regular troops is in addition to the paramilitary Frontier Corps already stationed in the region. Dawn has learnt on good authority that the government wants to seal off possible escape routes of foreign militants from South Waziristan into the North Waziristan tribal agency, and before taking any tough action it will try to use all means to resolve the issue peacefully.