Islamabad, Sep 23 (DPA) Thousands of people have fled Pakistan's tribal region near the Afghan border, believing the recent surge in military strikes marks the launch of an expected offensive against the Taliban fighters.

The exodus began when hundreds of troops, backed by dozens of tanks and helicopter gunships, started an action Tuesday against the fighters loyal to former Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who died in a US drone missile attack in early August.

'The army is moving from Razmak town to the Makeen area,' said Jamil Mehsud, a local who reached Dera Ismail Khan town in North West Frontier Province Wednesday morning.

'The soldiers have already captured Mohammad Nawaz Kot village that lies two kilometres north of Makeen,' he added.

According to Jamil, thousands of men, women and children were moving in small groups towards the neighbouring district of North Waziristan using difficult mountain tracks.

It was not clear whether the government forces have launched a much-awaited full-fledged operation in the district, where Al Qaeda has safe havens.

The chief spokesman of the Pakistani military, Major General Athar Abbas, said there was 'no operation' going on in South Waziristan.

'It's just a local reaction to a rocket attack by Taliban on a security check post,' he said.