Pakistan: Army continues ground operation in NWA

As Pakistan Army on Monday formally announced to have kicked off ground offensive against the militants in the region killing at least 15 more terrorists in parts of NWA.

More than 270 alleged terrorists including fair number of fugitives, it may be recalled have been mowed down in the strikes by the PAF planes that had come into action from the day one of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and have been pounding militants’ hideouts. However, the security forces claimed to have been waiting for the complete evacuation of the more than six lacs civilian population from the agency before starting the ground operation in order to avoid the collateral damages.

According to Inter Services Public Relations the Pakistan Army has started the ground operation in and around Miranshah after evacuation of the civilian population. The army has started a house-to-house search in Miranshah which is being carried out by infantry troops and special service group. “After evacuation of all civil population, ground operation started in Miran Shah today. Troops enter town for house to house search,” Director General ISPR, Maj. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted on Monday.

An ISPR press release said 15 terrorists had been killed in the ground offensive while troops have recovered underground tunnels and IED preparation factories inside. Three soldiers were injured in an exchange of fire adding the terrorists concentrations continue to be targeted by artillery fire, tanks and other heavy weapons in Mir Ali and other areas of North Waziristan.

“The special contingents of the Pak army led security forces, reports say, have been conducting thorough door to door search as fifteen terrorists were killed in ground action in and around the NWA headquarters on Monday while three troops also sustained injuries in exchange of fire with the miscreants”, military sources said adding the forces also seized factories manufacturing the landmines and the locally made bombs.

According to ISPR statistics since the start of Zarb-e-Azb on 15th June, 376 terrorists have beenkilled while 19 have surrendered to security forces. The Pakistan military has destroyed 61 terrorist hideouts while 17 soldiers embraced martyrdom during the two weeks of surgery.

The army’s infantry troops and Special Services Group conducted door-to-door searches in Miramshah town to ensure that the civilian population had evacuated the area.

The ISPR statement added, “Meanwhile integrated fire of artillery, tanks and other heavy weapons is being carried out on terrorist concentrations in Mirali and other areas. Effective cordon is in place at other areas housing terrorists.”