650 sq km secured in last phase of Waziristan op

ISLAMABAD:

The military has secured 650 square kilometres of uncontrolled area so far during the final phase of the operation in North Waziristan Agency, the army chief acknowledged on Tuesday as he voiced satisfaction over the pace of the offensive in a strategic valley.

Late last month, General Raheel Sharif gave the go-ahead for what the military called the final phase of the operation that envisaged ground troops combing densely forested ravines of Shawal Valley which terrorists use to sneak in and out of Pakistan. The operation, codenamed Zarb-e-Azb, was launched in mid-June, 2014 to purge North Waziristan of militants of all hues.

The army chief travelled to North Waziristan on Tuesday where he spent the day with troops and tribesmen, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). The formation commander briefed him on the progress made in the operation, repatriation of the temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) and development and resettlement works initiated by the army in the area.

Gen Raheel vowed that the operation would continue till the ‘total elimination’ of terrorist hideouts and the ‘curse of terrorism and extremism’ from across the country. He specially appreciated the intelligence agencies for matching the pace of busting ‘sleeper cells’ in the country’s urban centres.

In his interaction with troops, the army chief commended all officers and soldiers for the courage, determination and spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in the Shawal operation under harsh weather conditions and treacherous terrain.

He was also briefed on the rehabilitation work, and its effects on the socio-economic landscape of the area. He directed all concerned to further boost the pace to meet timelines and ensure a dignified and early return of the TDPs to a better-built area.

Later, the army chief interacted with tribal elders and TDPs, and assured them that the army would stay in the area till the resettlement process was completed. The tribal elders paid rich tribute to the army for the successful operations, and affirmed that they, with the help of the army, would never allow the terrorists to return to their area.

Gen Raheel also laid the foundation stone of the state-of-the-art Younas Khan Sports Complex at Miramshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan. Former Pakistan skipper Younas Khan was also present as the complex – constructed by army engineers for the youth – was named after him.

The army chief also visited the under-construction Miramshah Bazaar and appreciated the army engineers for their dedicated efforts in executing quality construction work.

Miramshah Bazaar, which had been used by terrorists as their centre, was damaged during the clearance phase of the operation. The bazaar has been rebuilt by the army to re-initiate economic activity in the area wherein new shops and markets will be handed over to the affected tribes.


Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2016.