FACTBOX: The battle in Pakistan's South Waziristan

(Reuters) - Pakistani soldiers are zeroing in on two major Taliban sanctuaries in their South Waziristan bastion as government forces pressed ahead with their offensive in the lawless tribal region on the Afghan border.

Troops have surrounded Kanigurum, a stronghold of Uzbek fighters allied with the Pakistani Taliban, officials said.

The security forces last week recaptured the strategic town of Kotkai, the birthplace of Pakistani Taliban Hakimullah Mehsud, in their first major success against the militants in the offensive launched on the September 17.

Here are some facts about South Waziristan:

THE LAND

South Waziristan has an area of about 6,620 square km (2,550 square miles). It borders Afghanistan to the west, North Waziristan to the north, North West Frontier Province to the east and Baluchistan province to the south. Its main town is Wana. It is an arid land of mountains pock-marked dried-up creeks, along with sparse forests and rocky plains.

THE PEOPLE

South Waziristan has an estimated population of about 500,000, according to the most recent figures, mostly ethnic Pashtuns. Pashtuns in general are religious conservatives and have a reputation for being fiercely independent and hostile to outside interference, but are also hospitable and protective of visitors.

The Pashtuns are divided into tribes, with the main ones in South Waziristan being the Mehsuds -- from whom the Taliban draw much support -- and the Wazirs. Tribes are further sub-divided into clans.

THE FIGHTING

The main Pakistani Taliban bastion is a wedge of territory in a Mehsud tribal region which does not border Afghanistan.

The army has launched brief offensives there before, the first in 2004 when it suffered heavy casualties before striking a peace pact. This time, the army has spent months preparing for the offensive.

The army says about 28,000 soldiers are fighting an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban. The Taliban forces include about 1,000 Uzbek militants, who have a reputation for being ruthless fighters, some al Qaeda Arabs and even a handful of militants from Western countries.

The army says 264 militants and 33 soldiers have been killed since the offensive started but their was no independent verification of the claims.

The militants have had years to prepare their defenses and hold rifles, machineguns, anti-tank weapons, especially rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and longer-range rockets.

They are also experts in the use of roadside bombs and have been churning out a stream of suicide bombers.

The United States has also been attacking the militants with missile-firing drone aircraft even though Pakistan officially objects to the strikes. Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a missile strike on August 5. His successor has vowed revenge.

The army has been trying to isolate the Pakistani Taliban in their stronghold and will be hoping other militant factions, including a Wazir-dominated faction led by commander Maulvi Nazir in South Waziristan, and other factions, will stay out of the battle.