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The campaign against Mehsud, seen as an al-Qaida ally, will be centered in the tribal Waziristan area close to the border with Afghanistan, reports said. Mehsud is accused of being responsible for a number of suicide bombings and other attacks in the country.

Britain's Daily Telegraph reported the offensive may pose a risk for the entire country as Mehsud's group is believed to be spread across Pakistan. However, the report said the offensive points to the government's seriousness about combating Islamic extremism.

"Baitullah Mehsud is the root cause of all evils. The government has decided that to secure the innocent citizens from terrorists, a meaningful, durable and complete action is to be taken", Owais Ghani, governor of North West Frontier Province, was quoted as saying.

The military's campaign since April has been centered mostly in the Swat Valley and other areas in the northwest. The Telegraph report said the Waziristan assignment may prove more important and difficult because of the terrain.

However, the military will be encouraged that Qari Zainuddin, a fellow tribal challenger to Mehsud, has vowed to drive Mehsud's al-Qaida supporters from Pakistan, the report said, adding Mehsud has already been weakened by the secret backing Zainuddin is getting from Pakistan.

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