Army chief reviews TDP rehabilitation operations in Waziristan
ISPR says General Raheel is visiting North and South Waziristan
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif shakes hands with a tribal elder during the former's visit to Waziristan Agency on June 14, 2016. PHOTO: ISPR
Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday paid a visit to North and South Waziristan Agency, ISPR said.
“The army chief spent his day with soldiers of the Pakistan Army and local tribesmen while reviewing operations for rehabilitation of the temporary displaced persons (TDPs),” a statement issued by the military’s media wing read.
The army chief’s visit comes as the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb continues in the tribal areas.
Terrorists routed from their last bastion in North Waziristan Agency
Operation 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.
In April this year, the military announced that terrorists had been driven out of their last bastion in North Waziristan Agency, announcing the completion of the final phase of the massive operation launched in mid-June 2014.
38% of IDPs have returned home, army chief told in North Waziristan
Terrorists routed from elsewhere in the agency had fled to the strategic Shawal Valley which has long been used by them to move between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They also used the treacherous terrain of the valley, located on the Pak-Afghan border, as a springboard for launching attacks on both sides of the border.
Hundreds of militants had reportedly retreated to the densely forested ravines of Shawal after fleeing Zarb-e-Azb. The operation was accelerated after terrorists methodically killed 140-plus pupils and staff at the Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014.
“The army chief spent his day with soldiers of the Pakistan Army and local tribesmen while reviewing operations for rehabilitation of the temporary displaced persons (TDPs),” a statement issued by the military’s media wing read.
The army chief’s visit comes as the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb continues in the tribal areas.
Terrorists routed from their last bastion in North Waziristan Agency
Operation 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.
In April this year, the military announced that terrorists had been driven out of their last bastion in North Waziristan Agency, announcing the completion of the final phase of the massive operation launched in mid-June 2014.
38% of IDPs have returned home, army chief told in North Waziristan
Terrorists routed from elsewhere in the agency had fled to the strategic Shawal Valley which has long been used by them to move between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They also used the treacherous terrain of the valley, located on the Pak-Afghan border, as a springboard for launching attacks on both sides of the border.
Hundreds of militants had reportedly retreated to the densely forested ravines of Shawal after fleeing Zarb-e-Azb. The operation was accelerated after terrorists methodically killed 140-plus pupils and staff at the Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014.