ISLAMABAD -- The showdown in Waziristan hinted at by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari 10 days ago may have already begun with the killing of Taliban militants by security forces in South Waziristan, and the deployment of hundreds of additional troops to the troubled region in the last few days. In response, Pakistan-based Taliban have launched multiple suicide and bomb attacks in two major cities and threatened to further target others.

A local official in South Waziristan -- who spoke on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to comment -- told World Politics Review that security forces killed six militants and injured several others in the Chakmalai and Siplatoi areas of the Mehsud tribal territory last Tuesday. On Sunday, 25 more Taliban militants -- including a senior leader, Miraj Burki -- died in clashes with Pakistani security forces in Burki's strongholds in the Spinkai Raghzai and Tiarza areas of South Waziristan. ...