ISLAMABAD, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Pakistani armed forces Tuesday launched a fresh operation against al-Qaida suspects in the tribalarea of the North West Frontier province bordering Afghanistan, according to a press release issued by the armed forces' Inter-Services Public Relations.

    "Upon a tip off about suspected presence of foreign terrorists in an area in South Waziristan Agency west of Wana, the security forces went into the area early Tuesday morning," said the press release.

    It added that the Pakistani security forces were conducting theoperation and there were no foreign troops or agencies involved init.

    The Pakistani government decided to launch a search operation since some foreign terrorists hiding in the tribal area refused tosurrender unconditionally to the authorities before the deadline of Feb. 20.

    The press release noted that being a front-line coalition partner in the war on terror, the fresh operation "manifests continued resolve of the Pakistani government to follow its policydespite risks involved."

    The operation was conducted amid reports saying that the US andBritish special forces have cornered Osama bin Laden in Pakistan'snorth western mountains.

    In the past two years, Pakistani armed forces have launched at least two major operations in the South Waziristan Agency. During the operation on Oct. 2, 2003, Pakistani forces killed eight foreign terrorists including one of China's top-wanted terrorists and a top al-Qaida leader. Enditem