Zarb-e-Azb: ISPR says 80 percent of Miranshah cleared of terrorists
Says over 400 terrorists were killed and 130 were injured during military operation.
RAWALPINDI (Web Desk) - Eighty percent area of Miranshah has been cleared of terrorists, says Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Briefing local and foreign media persons, Director General ISPR and Commander Zarb-e-Azb said there was also presence of Al-Qaeda in Miranshah.
The journalists were told that so far 100 hideouts of terrorists were destroyed. Over 400 terrorists were killed and 130 injured during military operation.
No civilian has so far been killed in the operation.
The Commander Zarb-e-Azb said North Waziristan was centre of planning, logistic and communication for the terrorists.
To a question DG ISPR said all terrorists will be eliminated without any discrimination.
The ISPR demanded of the Afghan government to prevent entry of fleeing terrorists in Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, another eleven terrorists were killed as PAF jets pounded three militant hideouts in Miranshah area of North Waziristan.
Pak Army is using troops, tanks and jets in North Waziristan and has vowed to wipe out strongholds which insurgents have used to mount countless deadly attacks in recent years.
So far, more than 400 militants have been killed in the offensive while 20 soldiers have embraced martyrdom, according to the military.
On Tuesday, 13 terrorists were killed and their seven hideouts were destroyed by jet aircrafts in the Degan area of North Waziristan. A large part of Miranshah was cleared from terrorists in the ground and aerial offensive that continues as part of the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation in North Waziristan Agency.
According to FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA), more than 800,000 people have left the North Waziristan tribal area for the nearby town of Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Karak and Dera Ismail Khan since the military operation began in mid-June.
Officials from the FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) said they were checking registrations for duplicates, meaning the figure may come down.
"Some 833,274 people or 66,726 migrating families from North Waziristan were registered in cities of Bannu and Peshawar until Tuesday evening," Arshad Khan, said FDMA director general.
He said 361,459 of the displaced were children and 248,633 women.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched on June 15 after a dramatic attack on Karachi airport last month which killed dozens of people and marked the end of a faltering peace process with the Tehreek-e-Taliban.
Earlier, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and briefed him over the developments in operation Zarb-e-Azb.
PM stated that the operation against the militants would ensure peace in the country. The government is trying its utmost to rehabilitate the affectees.
General Raheel Sharif gave a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister on the progress of operation Zarb-e-Azb. Army Chief stated that the operation is being carried out along the lines chalked out.
General Sharif also informed the PM of the conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Nawaz Sharif complimented the army men for their valor and determination. He further added that Pakistan army is achieving the set goals in minimal amount of damage deriving the operation towards success. Operation Zarb-e-Azb would ensure peace and prosperity in the region.
Expressing satisfaction over the efforts made by the army and all the state institutions for the help and care extended to the IDPs, PM said that the government is taking firm steps to ensure the rehabilitation of the affectees.
The sacrifices made by the IDPs for country’s stability and security were also acknowledged in the meeting.
