Pakistan: Zarb-e-Azb updates: 20 militants killed in fresh airstrikes in Shawal

http://pakobserver.net/

The Pakistan Air Force planes after a relative pause of couple of days, resumed strikes on the militant’s positions in Shawal Tehsil of North Waziristan agency killing at least 20 insurgents including fugitives on Wednesday as the operation Zarb-e-Azb progressed on the 39th day. The security forces also sized an ammunition manufacturing factory bedsides recovering huge cache of arms and ammo, scores of IEDs and foreign currency.

The security forces led by the Pakistan Army, it may be recalled had initiated grand operation Zerb-e-Azb, named after the sword of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) on June 15 in Degan area in Tehsil Datta Khel of NWA killing over hundred militants. The PAF air machines have since then been pounding the militant’s hideouts in the agency killing more than 500 alleged terrorists till date besides destroying over 100 militant’s hide outs though the independent sources apprehend some civilians have also fallen prey to the incessant bombings as the incidents of collateral damages have started surfacing.

“At least 20 terrorists were killed as Pakistan Air Force fighter jets on Wednesday again pounded 4 suspected hideouts of militants in Tehsil Shawal of North Waziristan Agency” Military sources said adding in continuation of security forces operation Zarb-e-Azb, terrorists’ sanctuaries located near the Pak-Afghan border in Tehsil Shawal were targeted by jet fighters and 4 of them were completely destroyed.

While the killed terrorists could not be identified immediately, as operation in the area was still underway, the independent sources apprehended that collateral damage may be on the rise amid reports of killing of at least 30 women and children in last week’s blitz in the same Shawal area.

“As many as 4 isolated terrorist hideouts were destroyed early morning Wednesday through aerial strikes in Shawal valley , killing 20 local and foreign terrorists”. The Inter Service Public Relations communiqué to media said adding clearance of Mir Ali was progressing smoothly. It said a local ammo manufacturing factory has been recovered. Huge cache of arms and ammo, scores of IEDs and foreign currency were also recovered from Mir Ali Bazar. Meanwhile technical disposal and clearance of recovered IEDs and explosive in Miranshah is in progress.

The ISPR release said 142866 ration packs and 20000 special Eid gift packages including clothes for ladies, toys and sports items for children have been distributed among IDPs so far as distribution of more Eid gift packages was also in progress.