Pakistani forces on Tuesday launched a major operation to flush out Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects in the remote Wajiristan tribal agency area bordering Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding.

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Security forces have launched an operation against foreign terrorists near Zarodai in the tribal agency area, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid was quoted as saying by the state-run PTV.

He said the operation was being conducted by Pakistani troops and no foreign troops were involved.

Interior Minister Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat on Monday said some Al Qaeda militants were still hiding in Waziristan tribal agency areas and asked the tribal elders to search and hand them over.

Pakistan has reportedly moved about 8000-10,000 troops into the area to conduct search operations. The US and Afghan troops are also reportedly mobilised on the other side of the border to prevent the militants from crossing over.