PAF jets bombed targets in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan. PHOTO: PPI/FILE
"Today at about 0130 hours (2030 GMT), a number of terrorist hideouts in Dehgan, Datta Khel in North Waziristan were targeted by jet aircraft. The number of terrorists killed in early morning strikes has risen to 80, mostly Uzbeks," a military statement said.
However local security officials put the death toll far higher, saying that about 150 militants died in the air strikes.
The air force also carried out shelling late Sunday morning in the Mirali area of North Waziristan.
An Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release confirmed that terrorists linked to planning the attack on Karachi airport were present in the hideouts that were bombed. The mastermind behind the attack - Abu Abdur Rehman Almani - was among the dead, Express News reported.
At least 37 people, including 10 terrorists, were killed in the all-night battle at Jinnah International Airport that had started on June 8. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) had claimed responsibility for the attack.
The ISPR stated that mostly Uzbek foreigners were killed in the strikes. An ammunition dump was also destroyed, according to the press release.
Terrorists of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) were also allegedly killed in the bombings, Express News reported.
"Up to 150 people were killed during the strikes early Sunday. These strikes were carried out based on confirmed reports about the presence of Uzbek and other militants in the area," an intelligence official said.
Another security official said that "the number of the killed people was even more than 150".
The Pakistan military has not confirmed the higher figure.
Following the incident, the local political administration imposed a curfew in the area for an indefinite period.
Previous bombings
On Jun 10, aerial bombing in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency killed at least 25 militants.
On May 23, gunship helicopter and jet planes bombed hideouts of suspected militants in North Waziristan, killing four and injuring three others.
COMMENTS (111)
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Dont want to sleep tonight when my country is in war... May GOD keeps my country and military safe and sound aameen. Long live Pakistan
@Rashid Khan: a better place for him, to find solution would be one in tibet, doing yoga and concentrating on spreading more rumors..
@Ammar: If ever, there are civilians...
@Dipak: We are a peace loving country and our establishment is very reasonable, mind it... we understand how meaningful we can act and what could be the impact... its not a child's play to do whatever you want, when you are in Government...
@Anjaan: Brother, its Pak army in the war now and not the American jets, not being able to identify friends or foe.
Secondly, there is no one in NW area only the terrorists, since the families have already fled the area long back.. update yourself
Dear ET, please keep us informed about the daily scores and don't worry about pseudo-intellectual rants from pro-TTP trolls.
This time please kill those that support extremism. PLEASE
I want to ask everyone who is praising this act of jet bombing. Suppose if such kind of people get access to your city and start terrorism and others say all citizens in your city deserve jet bombing (of course that includes you as well). So what will be your response? I think jet bombing is not a solution. Few people are bad does not mean everybody in that region deserve to die.
@Pakistani_Baloch: "I’m very sorry for any civilian loss but this is it."
If PAF was attacking your city, would you still utter that statement?
Unless you kill the 'seeds' these 'trees' will grow up again.
Delayed decision from NS Govt. This was needed much earlier. Zardari could also decide that, but he had his own apprehensions. Now it must be morally backed by the nation. We cannot take everything lying. Let us pray that the operation is led to its logical conclusion and ends up in the best interest of Pakistan. Long live Pakistan!!.
@ahmed: That was a very immature statement, Sir. The breeding and support of terrorists in the region has affected India (in Kashmir), Afghanistan, Iran (on it's SE borders) and China (Xinjiang). Obviously, these countries have an interest in elimination of terrorists. The entire world is watching the arial bombing by PAF and HR organization would raise hue and cry if civilian casualties rise and IDPs increase.
@ISI: How are you sure that "Good Taliban" didn't?
@shah: There is difference between a terrorist and Government army or civilized forces. Do you like your army to work like terrorists? Think about it and let us all know.
I would like to see some thoughts about the influence of US Government on Pakistan to start this operation. Nobody commented about the recent development where US congress has made the condition of North Waziristan operation on its aid to Pak Army. Every body is quiet on this point. I hope this operation is to root out the terrorist from Fata but not to appease the US congress/government to get US aid. The other pint is about how our army and Government will ensure that no or minimum civilian deaths in the operation. I wish our Government has the brain and will to control terrorist activities in Pakistan.
Belated action but I am glad it finally happened.They should not stop till the last one is eliminated.Law and order should be the top priority.The Country cannot progress if law and order is not taken care of !!!!
We Should not celbrate as we would be Killing our own people. Must be cautiously optimistic Ofcourse terrorists dont deserve our sympathy but what about thousands of women and children living in waziristan/Fata has the Govt done anything to save them or they dont deserve to live as Free Pakistanies.
@Anjan ...... Please let us know the authenticity of the figure of 60% which you have qouted.... Or else you just have made it up yourself to sound influential.
Our brave armed forces are risking their lives for our freedom. If people are letting terrorists live amongst them then these people are our enemies and must not be considered collateral damage.
@Anjaan: how do u know that civilians were killed...Please try to take one stand and not become a pendulum...If pakistan army does not act you blame it...when it takes action you blame it.dont be a hypocrite.
The choice is not between violence and nonviolence but between nonviolence and nonexistence.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
long live Pak army ... army does its best to avoid casualties however no army in the world can avoid deaths of civilians ...yet these attacks on terrorists r necessary otherwise it would mean surrendering the country in the hand of the enemy .....
May Allah protect our soldiers n innocent civilians n May Allah grant success to our army in eradicating this menace from our land ...all the best guys with Zarb e Azb Operation 2.
for those who say what took so long.... well... army was all for attack but r corrupt politicians were not allowing them to attack these targets ..they wanted to hav talks with these ppl ...however finally these politicians have woken up n know that only way to throw them out is all out war with them...
@Rashid Khan: " .... where the local population has never been exactly cooperative in supporting military presence in the region but would rather host these barbarians as guests." Then that land does not belong to you, does it? The 'barbarians' are a legitimate presence there.
Just wondering if a single bombing of BeniGala by PAF, months earlier, would have avoided this bombing?
@Timoor@ you're a philosopher! what about a state whose 180 million are a held ransom by a few thousand bandits under the garb of religion, whose citizens live in constant fear of their lives, millions who are traumatized by the barbaric acts of these low life creatures. What do you propose as a solution to this problem in a situation where you've to operate with limited resources? Do you suggest the government flush these bandits out from their holes in a situation where the local population has never been exactly cooperative in supporting military presence in the region but would rather host these barbarians as guests.
@Anjaan: So if ur analogy is true then those civilians should ask these terrorists to go to their countries and stop killing Pakistani women and children...... JUST THINK RATIONALE
A state BOMBING villages and towns in its own territory in order to kill "terrorists" and then announcing all 80 of them are terrorists! Really?
FATA has been ravaged by our establishment playing games there for $$$. Terrorism is the result of establishment's dirty politics in the region.
Remember, this won't solve terrorism but increase it! Unfortunate for all of us to have incompetent rulers.
So the agencies must have known where these hoodlums are getting asylum. Why didn't they take them out when thousands of civilians were ruthlessly slaughtered?
It is always good when terrorists are killed. Keep up the good work PAF!
The Civilians were informed to migrate to some safe places, and thousands of people did so. Now, if the civilians are being killed, it is their fault because they were warned about it quite several times.
Here number of Indians talking about mass slaughter of civilians.... My question to them do u have any of your problems which you can discuss? Its our problem what we are doing kindly keep your knowledge and percentages to yourself.... Kill all of them who is with them who is supporting them and gave them shelter and logistics everyone deserve this...way to go pak forces
@the Skunk: That is true. Pakistan was created for Subcontinent Muslims who opposed secularism.
Pak army should develop its intelegence and target the 'wrong doers' instead of blanket attacking Pathan areas. There are just as many 'wrong doers' in Punjab and Sindh. Lets have a blanket aerial bombardment within these provinces as well! My fear now is revenge attacks killing innocent people. I sincerely hope the agrieved NWA people would target their inevitable revenge attacks on PM's Sharif's house, PAF punjabi head's home and other war mongers associated with this massacre, and not attack KPK who have opposed this stupidity continually.
Please ! Consider a society where the individual is honestly doing his job, tolerant to hear others, dedicated to serve his country. Consider a society where we go to buy fruits and know that they are charging the "jaa'iz" amount, only because of the integrity of individual in society. Consider when we go to a doctor, you are confident that doctor is not going to give us extra medicines merely to make his "pharma mafia" work. Consider a society where institutions perform their duties as expected with the competent and dedicated individuals in them. Consider a society with 0 or least volume of corruption.
Will anybody from within or outside be able to hurt us easily?
Are these Utopian thoughts? Certainly not! We have to just start with ourselves and we will start observing the change !!
Think about that!
Killing will not stop this madness, yes these PAF attacks in a certain area of our country might help us in achieving some short-term goal of retaining peace, but really we have to improve ourselves, we have to come out of our comfort zones to put and effort to change ourselves and in our societie. Unless we do that, we are not going to go much farther.
We are expecting more killing of terrorists in upcoming hours.... Pak Armed Forces Salute you. Pakistan Zindabad
Amazed to see the stupidity of my fellow people! USA after spending $4t+ on war decided that the solution lied in dialogue. Opened up a Taliban office in Qatar, negotiated and now we are down to release prisoners. Why? So that USA can stop the heat of the resistance in Afghanistan. I am not sure what kind of people can say "Kill them all, more action PAF", but I am guessing they are probably the kind who absolutely have no idea what guerilla warfare is all about. A military action in North Waziristan was explicitly denied by General Kiyani because of the fear that militants will spread throughout, which now they will. If militants start reeking havoc in cities would that mean army would be deployed throughout the nation in every area. Would we then be living in a police state? I don't like the fact that our army men are fighting against people we have had peace with for over 1000 years. No civilian sacrifices. There should be a dead halt in everything. Pakistan seems to be working on American agenda, who want TTP to be aligned against Pakistan so that they can make a smooth retreat from Afghanistan. My people, why do you not see?
Having read some posted comments, I am totally surprised that 60% civilian are being killed in air strikes rather than Terrorists. Let me clear your doubts this type of operations are very difficult to conduct in mountainous area if u ever visited that area. For instance once the flood hits any city/place every body gets suffer either humans or animals similarly, It has always been efforts of security forces to away from collateral damages as much as possible, but 100 percent accuracy is not possible.My friend it is very easy to criticize while sitting outside if u think u can do better than join Arm forces or give them suggestion how to avoid collateral damages.Last but not the least the figure which has been told from my friend of killing 60% civilian in air strike is not justified but it may be 10 to 15 %.
dr faraz: well done pak army as you are going with comprehensive strategy.just keep continue .
well done pak air force & pak army air defence.you are going with clear and quick strategy just keep this continue until complete destruction of their hideoutes because this is the only way to handle them nicely. Dr Faraz
In all these PAF attacks only innocents are killed. All so called terrorists have already left NW. Only aged, women and children, who cannot move quickly enough, are left behind. There is no collateral damage because only these innocents are killed. Pakistan is the only country in the world that bombs its own citizens and also allows foreigners to hunt its citizens as well as flora and fauna.
Help the Police and Army identify and arrest these thugs who have destroyed everything.
It is time to give up weapons and live as others do in a civilised society.
@shah: My dear friend at least I can not agree with the poor people are crushed between security agencies and terrorist where should they go after leaving their houses means of livelihood can they take their land with them. Only those who are creating trouble should be killed otherwise there will be no difference between these animals and security forces/
@hellodrsoul: I see the wives and children of the terrorists have left them - or when killed by drones they are called collateral damage but when killed by fighterbombs they are called terrorists?
Also how did Pakistan ensure that only civilians left? If civilians are smart enough to leave, terrorists are also smart enought to do so. The reality is that some civilians leave and some are unablentofor various reasons - new born kids or very old people in the family who are unable to traelmor live in camps.
why IK is silent now, this is what he wanted? when he opposed drone strikes.
There is no link between precision bombing & drones, precision bombing use GPS & a lesser guided missile which a normal jet fighter can be installed with as well. The only reason for using drones is the fact that it can fly for more hours & that too without a pilot. I'm sure PAF is using precision guided missiles for these operations.
@shoaib: Because it would a lot easier for troops on ground to carry out surgical operations in Islamabad. Also the civilian death rate would be much higher.
According to reports most of the civilians have vacated the north waziristan. PAF has to do this as the the Uzbeks are telescoped deep in the valley and jets are the only efficient way to necrose them inside their hideouts.
These savage terrorist came to pakistan after the us attacked afghanistan from the North. This 'war on terror' has cost us dearly.
@Raza:
{ If you go to someone’s house and kill their mother and sister they WILL pick up arms against you}
This has been a very popular and persistent theory of TTP apologists. Unfortunately there is not a single documented proof based on DNA or the few captured alive suicide bombers that they were motivated by revenge. By the way which family member of UZBEK attackers of Karachi Airport had their family members killed in a military operation? Or is it a one way street? Why none of the survivors of 50,000 dead civilians became a suicide bomber and attacked Waziristan? Are they all be ghairat?
For all those who are saying, the airstrike killed only terrorists, please go and read about how a retired army personnel family got killed in the air strike where the ISPR was claiming 60 terrorists were killed........... Now the figures are showing over 100 terrorist are killed, I am 100% sure there would be atleast 60% civilians murdered ! Our Army is creating more enemies, they should evacuate the area for women and children and then do whatever they want to do !
The sooner Pakistan comes to its senses that we cannot welcome and harbor every man jack just because he says he is a 'jihadi,' the better for our survival and less hypertension. Our medieval, outmoded, unimaginative politicians (pumped up by US/UK), tribals, and mullahs will have to come to face hard facts. THE SOONER THE BETTER. Salams
@shah: {They should either flush out the militants themselves or move away from the hideouts of militants}
A very valid observation. Since all tribal population bears arms by default, it is not excusable if they let the militants live among them or they decide to go live near them. Remember its a very thinly populated region.
mashallah. Long live PAF. We need to develop drones like the USA for precise location and bombings of terrorists. We have taken perfect revenge of Karachi.
Your headline says 'people', others use the word 'militants', . What happened to the word terrorists???
Drones should have been preferred than air-strikes which would have caused collateral damage killing scores civilians including women and children. After bombardment, ground attacks should be conducted to mop up the remaining terrorists and provide medical help to civilians injured in these attacks.
it'll be unfortunate if there are any civilian casualties, they have to move out from there just the way people moved out from Sawat, & mind you these terrorists live with their families up there so there is bound to be such a collateral damage! Govt has to do something for the IDP's, & as for those people who are saying we need to "talk" with these groups, well ask those families whose loved ones were killed by these terrorists. Talk with those who accept our writ & eliminate those who take up arms against our country on the behest of foreign agencies i.e Indian & Afghan.
Go pak army go kill them
@Anjaan:
thousand of civilians already left to Afghanistan a week ago correct your KNOWLEDGE
There would be some civilian casualties, no doubt. But it is inevitable. Imran Khan, JeI and such other parties should be blamed if the civilian deaths are larger this time. It is because of their protests against drone strikes and support for the terrorists that military action could not be carried out during winter.
In any case, there is no other option for the military action to avoid ceding the country to the terrorists. Imagine what would happen then. They would start with cutting off the heads of shias and hazaras; we would see terrorists walking the streets everywhere with severed heads as they are doing now in Iraq.
Some collateral damage now is lot better than the colossal damage that would come if the country falls to the terrorists. In the larger interests of the country and most of its population, it is necessary to wipe out the terrorists at any cost. The army, the government and all political parties owe this to the people of Pakistan.
@Anjaan:
this guy just calculated this 60% figure on his own while day dreaming about migrating to US.
you pathetic liberals are always screaming for an operation and now that the operation is escalating, u people come up with fake numbers of casualties to prove yet another fake irrational point.
some people should not be allowed to voice their irrational opinions.
Pakistan bred irregulars on its soil because it thought they would add to its power. Now it is facing the consequences. Pakistan has built nuclear weapons because it thinks they will add to its power. It will inevitably face similar consequences. It is not clever to place the destruction of others above your own welfare.
@Faruq: would you wait same for drone strike?? no hypocrite no!!!
The great Imran Khan should have thought this through before bleating about drones - they're far more accurate than this with only targeted damage and minimal civilian casualties. Anyway, I hope this sends a clear message. Good job PAF.
For long Pakistan along with foreign support has been destroyed the future and lives of millions of youngs, kids, immature; first training and equipped them; have been using them as non-state actors against both foe and friends at various fronts; India, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and US. Then after the failure of their agenda or strategic depth these forces have started blaming and eliminating through various propaganda; nation security, ethnic and sectarian and internal conflicts, terrorism, foreigners, agents, barbarians etc. Blaming those innocents who, lives, future, families and generations after generation have been destroyed and used by the Pak army and agencies for their agenda. It's total hypocrisy and injustices instead of peaceful and timely transition. While the generations of sacrifices and struggles of yesterday Heroes, Pakistan assets and today's terrorists were incredible, in true and good faith and for peace.
as long as they are not shia, qadyanis or christians and as long as they are sunni muslims their killing is not really considered as killing and everyone seems to ignore the rights part from these humans, shame on media, comments, hr organizations, and international community for continue with genocide of sunni muslims
@Optimistic: what about those civilian, women n children killed in karachi & Tafatan by these terrorist
@erudite: Who are the civilian casualty in case of drones? The famiy of the drone target who might be with them. How can similar civilian casualties be aoided in case of bombing. If at all in his case it is not just family but even neighbors of the targets will be killed in case of such aerial bombing - which in any case cannot be as precise as drones.
@Lalu Prashad: Pakistan is one of the very very few countries in the world where its airforce bombs its own citizens. Please note, such things are not done by India in Kashmir also.
@Raza: Except that collateral damage does not seem to have led to reactive terrorism in Pakistan when Hazaras have been killed, Christians, Ahmadis and Hindus have been killed or forcily converted.
In any case, when there was a reaction in India in 2002 in Gujarat to 58 Hindu pilgrims being burnt alive by a mod of 2000 Muslims - you blamed those who reacted. Double standards?
I have not heard of any civilian causality in any other news channel, amazed how ET got to know about civilian causalities while others are sleeping, lollzzzz
The silence from the drone protestors is deafening. This exposes their agenda which has nothing to do with the deaths of innocent civilians as collateral damage.
@Dipak:
They had to wait until the moment for potential regional economic prosperity passed and was lost and the situation became desperate.
The timing is perfect now!
Drones are 100 time more accurate - why no protest against this mass slaughter?
@Anjan: and so were the Karachi victims.
American's would prefer to have boots on the ground than have to use drones ... what's your excuse?
Pakistan zindabad.... we salute you pak army now sens the SSG commando to clear the area..... pak gov should have daily media briefings to ensure accurate dissemination of information as militants will try to twist the facts
The innocent tribes should temporarily leave the area till the time this mess is cleaned up. Let us hope there aren't any civilian causalities. Its time to send the message loud and clear to these barbarians; if you kill our one, we will fry 100s of yours. This is the only language they understand.
Why did Pakistan get billions of grant from Saudi? Anyone?
Wake up PM and start a humane program to expel illegal aliens
I'm very sorry for any civilian loss but this is it.
This is when we have to be decisive as a nation about whether we truly want to be free from terrorism or not.
Maybe, because we in Pak have been exposed to so much violence that I feel that the loss of life here is worth it because let's not forget that these terrorist will attack us and when they come for us we not only lose lives but our economy also suffers.
Also, these terrorist use civilians as human shield to protect themselves and we in Pak should realise this.
We need a ground operation aswell to rid the terrorist from Balochistan and North Waziristan and after say six months of security and no attacks by the terrorist. The government needs to declare Balochistan and North Waziristan safe and start investing money into the regions!
Good. If they dont care who dies when attacking government installations then we should not care who gets killed during bombing of militant hideouts. Anyone living with militants or living near them should face the same faith. They should either flush out the militants themselves or move away from the hideouts of militants if they want to live.
Good. If they dont care who dies when attacking government installations then we should not care who gets killed during bombing of militant hideouts. Anyone living with militants or living near them should face the same faith. They should either flush out the militants themselves or move away from the hideouts of militants of they want to live.
Long Live PAF... Kill them all and eradicate them completely from our soil.
Should have been done quite earlier. Good job.
Great. Crush them all.
Good Job. PAF please keep sending them to hoors daily.
Well done PAF.. Please do more and more until all beasts are killed.
Million Thanks PAF. Please keep bombing them frequently and don't spare a single one of them. Those are barbarians and have killed our beloved innocent countrymen.
Does that have shahid ullah shaid's head? if not who is being killed?
Anjan@do you have a better solution, you objected to drone attacks and their precision shooting now you criticize Pakistan's retaliation. What exactly would satisfy you? Do you have a better option?
When drone strike hits ET's headline "Drone Kills 100 Terrorists". When Pak Army hits ET's headline "Jets kill 100 people in North Wazristan"....
if you don't attack them still you cry like babies oh we are not eliminating them and if you do still you cry oh we are killing woman and children . Off course there will be some civilian causalities as well when you are killing these rascals .
@Anjaan:
There's not much indication of what the percentages are yet. Let's wait and see before pulling out arbitrary numbers like "60%"
We need to rid Pakistan of these savages and deweaponise the whole country
Had our system been strong enough, we would have captured these animals while freely moving in our cities
Imagine if these terrorists had been somehow living in place like islamabad , we would never ever had use such air strikes which couldnot discriminate between the innocent and guilty :(
Its time for operation clean sweep...
The civilians hv to decide whether they are with terrorist or Pakistan...
UN and the United States need to take a look at this and take appropriate military action. How long will us poor people suffer at the hand of these nuclear-powered oppressors! Pakistanis go away.
What took you so long? Had you started this few years ago, peace would have prevailed in Pakistan and Afghanistan long ago.
Out of the high casualties as reported, over 60% are likely to be civilians, women and children ... would there be a similar outcry in Pakistan as against the Drone strikes by the Americans ... ??