Islamabad: The Taliban ordered that 25 vehicles should be packed with explosives for suicide bombings before the Pakistani military launched its offensive in South Waziristan, a media report said on Sunday.

The News International quoted militant sources as saying that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders decreed that the explosive-laden vehicles would be used for suicide bombings just before the military assault that began on Oct 17.

Citing militant sources, it said that six motorcycles and 19 vehicles were to be stuffed with explosives.

The spurt in suicide and car bombings could be due to the militant plans to implement the decision of the TTP leadership for retaliating against the security forces, the report said.

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The sources claimed that 150 to 200 kg of explosives were to be put into each vehicle used for bombings. Fertilizers were bought and transferred in large quantities to make the explosives.

The militant sources said the vehicles for suicide bombings were readied at a number of places.

They said that those who suffered and lost family members in the military assault on Islamabad's Lal Masjid were among those actively involved in preparing the vehicles.

Pakistan has been hit by a wave of terror attacks that have killed over 250 people. One of the worst attacks took place Oct 28 when a massive bomb killed over 115 people in a crowded market of Peshawar.

The Pakistani Army is battling the Taliban in the rugged terrain of South Waziristan. The Taliban has vowed to retaliate against the US drone strikes, one of which killed its chief Baitullah Mehsud in early August.

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