After days of targeted air strikes on Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal region of North Waziristan, ground troops moved into Miranshah town today as tanks and artillery pounded hideouts in the city.
The military has started clearing of built-up areas of the militants, said a security official on condition of anonymity.
The ground attack started at 6 pm and focused on the main Bazar area in Miranshah where the Pakistani Taliban has a strong presence.
The numbers of casualties was not known as yet.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched on June 15 and the army is trying to mop up the major areas before start of the Muslim holy month of fasting next week.
According to the army, so far over 300 militants have been killed in the operation.
It has also displaced over 450,000 people who have taken up temporary residences in nearby towns of Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan.
The presence of civilians had delayed the start of ground offensive but it seems that the critical stage of a full-fledged involvement of ground troops has started.
