At least 19 terrorists, four security personnel killed in Shawal gunbattle

ISPR says the ground forces surrounded a group of fleeing militants near Pak-Afghan border and shot dead 19 of them

At least 19 terrorists were killed and four security forces personnel, including an officer, lost their lives during a gunbattle with terrorists near the Pak-Afghan border on Saturday.

The ground forces had surrounded a group of fleeing militants in Mangroti area, Shawal valley of North Waziristan, and killed 19 of them during intense exchange of fire, the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.

On February 24, Pakistan Army had launched its final phase of Operation Zarb-e-Azb to go after the terrorists still holed up in the strategic valley.



At the commencement of the phase, Army chief General Raheel Sharif expressed his complete satisfaction over the gains and effects of the operation and acknowledged the resolve of troops to eliminate terrorists from their leftover sanctuary.

Zarb-e-Azb began on June 15, 2014 following a brazen terrorist attack on Karachi airport and the failure of peace talks between the government and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Most areas of the erstwhile safe haven of homegrown and foreign militants have been purged. Tens of thousands of tribesmen displaced by fighting have started returning to their homes in the areas cleared by the military.



Shawal valley in Datta Khel tehsil is situated on the confluence of borders between North and South Waziristan tribal regions. It also shares a border with neighbouring Afghanistan and thus offers a safe transit for terrorists.