Pakistan

12 militants surrender in Waziristan

This was the first reported surrender by militants since the military launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Kamran Yousaf June 25, 2014

ISLAMABAD: Twelve militants surrendered to the security forces in North Waziristan Agency on Wednesday – the day when 13 suspected terrorists were killed in fresh air raids in the troubled agency.

Five militant hideouts were destroyed by PAF jets in the Mirali area Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). “Thirteen terrorists were killed in the strikes,” it added. “Twelve terrorists surrendered to the security forces.”

This was the first reported surrender by militants since the military launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb. While air strikes continue, the army is yet to launch a ground offensive in a bid to give more time to the civilian population to evacuate.

The fresh airstrikes came a day before Pakistan and Afghanistan are scheduled to hold crucial negotiations to work out a joint strategy for dealing with terrorism.

Afghan National Security Adviser Rangin Dadfar Spanta is arriving on a daylong trip after the recent visit by Mehmood Khan Achakzai as a special envoy to Afghanistan.

The visit of Achakzai, who is the head of the Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party and a member of the National Assembly, was meant to seek Kabul’s support in sealing the border to deny militants fleeing the Waziristan operation any safe exit.

Islamabad is believed to have also demanded the extradition of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) fugitive chief Mullah Fazlluah from Afghanistan. At the same time, Pakistan is urging Afghan authorities to destroy alleged TTP sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan provinces.

However, diplomatic sources said the Afghan national security adviser is likely to link his country’s cooperation with Islamabad eliminating Afghan Taliban’s alleged hideouts on its soil.

Kabul still believes that Pakistan’s security establishment continues to support certain Afghan insurgents including the deadliest Haqqani network.

But Pakistan has recently indicated that it is willing to eliminate both local and foreign terrorists. Army Chief General Raheel Sharif ordered security forces to destroy terrorists and their sanctuaries without any discrimination.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2014.