Army chief reviews TDP rehabilitation operations in Waziristan

ISPR says General Raheel is visiting North and South Waziristan

Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday paid a visit to North and South Waziristan Agency, ISPR said.

#COAS visited N&S. Waziristan.Reviewed Ops,progress TDP return&rehab.Inaugurated an imp road&hospital dev projs-1 pic.twitter.com/E588mrwuec

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 14, 2016

“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.

#COAS acknowledged tribals sacrifices&assured them, terrorists would never be allowed to return&Army wont go back till job is fully done-2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 14, 2016

TDP return&resettlement to continue,to complete within 2016.Focus within FATA now will be on efficient border mgmt 2 prevent x border mov-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 14, 2016

The army chief’s visit comes as the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb continues in the tribal areas.

For enduring stability, IBOs and combing operations will continue with same vigor across the country-4 pic.twitter.com/2be91SmkrX

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 14, 2016

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.



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.