At least 33 suspected terrorists were killed during the latest aerial strikes mounted by security officials in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), military officials confirmed on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing – Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) – nine terrorist hideouts were destroyed in two different aerial engagements in the troubled agency.
“In early morning aerial strikes ahead of Dattakhel, 18 terrorists were killed. Later, in Gharlamai area, another 15 terrorists were killed by gunship helicopters,” the statement said.
The strikes were the latest in the ongoing Operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ carried out against militants in the tribal area. The full-scale military offensive was launched on June 15 to clear the restive agency, which was considered hotbed of several local and foreign militant outfits.
More than 1,100 militants have so far been reportedly killed in the offensive while close to 90 soldiers have also lost their lives.
It is not clear when the operation will formally complete as neither the government nor military authorities have given any time-frame.
Recently, Federal Minister for State and Frontier Regions Lt General (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch indicated that the operation might be over within the next three months.
Army chief to visit US
The military’s media wing confirmed on Monday that the army chief, General Raheel Sharif, would undertake an official visit to the United States next month.
The ISPR said General Raheel would be visiting Washington at the request of the US. During his visit, he would hold meetings with senior American security officials.
This will be first visit by General Raheel to the US since he became the army chief in November last year. The two sides during the high-level visit are expected to discuss a host of issues, including Pak-US defence cooperation, the drawdown in Afghanistan and other regional matters.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2014.
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