Dozens of Uzbek fighters killed in fresh strikes
Warplanes strafed suspected hideouts of terrorists in areas adjacent to Miramshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency. The military claims that a large number of foreign fighters were killed in the air raid.
Fighter jets were scrambled when terrorists put up resistance. “On facing fire and resistance from inside Miramshah Town and Boya village, air strikes were launched to flush out the terrorists,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a statement on Saturday.
“Five terrorists’ hideouts, caves and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were destroyed and scores of terrorists were killed in the early morning strikes, silencing the firers,” it added. “Most of the terrorists killed in strikes were Uzbeks.”
The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), an al Qaeda affiliate, has had a large presence in the tribal belt since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
In a related incident, one soldier died when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off during a search and clearance operation.
On June 15, the military launched a long-awaited offensive in North Waziristan, aimed at wiping out militant strongholds in the area which had been dubbed as a ‘centre of gravity’ for local and foreign militants.
Sources said several hideouts of militants have been destroyed in the ongoing ground operation and air strikes, particularly in the surrounding areas of Miramshah. So far, 386 militants and 20 soldiers have been killed in the offensive, according to the military.
A military official told The Express Tribune that nearly half of Miramshah has been purged of militants but villages on the outskirts of Miramshah have yet to be cleared. “We cannot give a timeframe for the completion of the ground operation,” he added. “The army is facing some firing incidents, rocket and explosives attacks, but so far there has been no major resistance.”
Military officials say Operation Zarb-e-Azb is well planned and it’s progressing according to the plan. They say local tribesmen are willingly assisting the armed forces in eliminating terrorists. Over 570, 000 tribesmen have shifted to Bannu, where they are properly taken care of at shelter camps set up by the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2014.
COMMENTS (9)
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The people who get killed in their homes by the areal bombardment of the Pakistan army are always the militants and foreigners, says the most reliable intelligence agency of the army!.Any independent reporter is allowed to observe the military operations?
Rex Minor
Still no mention of any direct attacks on the Haqqani - the largest militant force who essentially ran N Waziristan. Talking about including the Haqqani as a target is one thing - but if that was the intention your dong a terrible job. You have provided sanctuary and aid to the Haqqani for over a decade - surely you know the location of their leaders, bases and general infrastructure and could have dealt them a devastating blow up front. How about some independent reporting?
these uzbeks are already persecuted in their native Uzbekistan by a draconian karimov regime backed by Kremlin, its unfortunate how these oppressed are being abused by all sides and the propaganda is such that even human right org are silent - but i speak because 'jism o zaban ki mout say pehlay, bol, kay lub azad hein teray' ... stop killing my right to free speech et
Keep killing the terrorists!
It is spaculated that due to on going operation of pak army terrorists will try to migrate across the LOC . The Indian army should also cunduct such operation in thr valley giving opportunity to all patriotic Kashmiri to shift temporarily in jammu and thereafter they should be allowed to go back in the valley along with their kadhmiri pandit brotheren once the army operation ensures that the valley is devoid of terrorists . We should als adopt the same method to deal with the terrorists .
How the media has become a propaganda tool of the Military? We read news OR rather statements issued by the Military. There is no independent verification of journalists visiting the scenes OR no journalists are allowed to visit the areas concerned. Pravada and Izvestia during Stalin era were the mouthpiece of the Government. Today's media in Pakistan have also become the tool of the Army.
Firstly, Miramshah is the proper spelling. There are no Mirans in Pushto. Secondly, the only source of the news is the military which has a less than credible reputation when it comes to the truth. Meanwhile, indignant IDPs are given blankets and warm socks in blistering heat.
To IK and all the right wings : Are these "our own" people? On east side of the border people over staying their visa terms and conditions serve jail time, even if there is a mistake or misunderstanding. Whereas on our western border, apparently visitors have been having a free ride for decades, wrecking havoc in the country, and the silent majority of Pakistan has been suffering because of the confusion spread by such political circles.