A year on, 2,763 militants killed in Operation Zarb-e-Azb: ISPR

DG ISPR says visit of Chinese president, Pakistan, Zimbabwe cricket and CPEC are some positive effects of operation

At least 2,763 militants have been killed in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, a military offensive launched  against militants in North Waziristan a year ago.

"The operation has moved to last few pockets close to Pakistan, Afghanistan border and so far, 2,763 terrorists have been killed,” DG ISPR Asim Bajwa said.

Z-e-A:Op moves to last few pkts close to PakAfgn border.So far 2763 terrorists killed,837 hide out destroyed.253 tons explosive recovered-2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 13, 2015

He also stated that 347 soldiers and officers have also been killed since the start of the operation on June 15, 2014.

Z-e-A:9000 IBOs apprehended thousand terrorists,abettors&killed 218 hard core terrorists in cities.347 offrs,soldiers embraced shahdat-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 13, 2015

Further, Genral Bajwa said “9,000 IBOs have been apprehended, thousand terrorists and abettors have been killed and 218 hard core terrorists have been killed in cities.”

Z-e-A:18087 weapons including HMG,LMG,sniper rifles,rocket launcher,AK-47s searched out of terrorists hide outs from NWA alone.Base denied-4

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 13, 2015

The DG ISPR added that 837 militant hideouts have been destroyed and 253 tonnes of explosives recovered during the operation.

“One year since start of the operation, significant achievements have been made in Fata, North Waziristan Agency and Khyber Agency,” General Bajwa said.

#ZarbeAzb:1 year since start,significant achievements in FATA spec NWA&Khyber.Strong holds,Comm Infrastructure,sanctuaries largely cleared-1

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 13, 2015

Delving into further details, DG ISPR claimed, “18,087 weapons, including HMG, LMG, sniper rifles, rocket launcher, AK-47s have been recovered from militant hideouts in NWA alone.”

“The whole nation came together to totally eliminate terrorism,” he said, while acknowledging the country's media and civil society for playing an effective role.

Furthermore, the military vowed that the operation would continue to achieve a terror-free Pakistan.

“Few effects of the operation have improved the environment -- the visit of Chinese president and  other dignitaries, Pakistan, Zimbabwe cricket and the China, Pakistan Economic Corridor."

Z-e-A:Whole nation came together to totally eliminate terrorism from http://t.co/TAq2segJXi,civ society playing +ve role 2 help end menace-5

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 13, 2015

Pakistan Army launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb on June 15 last year following a deadly attack on the Karachi airport after talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan failed.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif  has on multiple occasions affirmed that operation would continue till the elimination of the last terrorist.

Further, earlier today, while addressing the Naval Academy passing out parade, General Raheel said, “The entire nation expresses resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism.”

“Operation Zarb-e-Azb is delivering decisive results and terrorists are resorting to desperate actions,” he added.

Read: Bloodletting in Balochistan and Karachi manifest enemy's hostile intent: army chief

Claiming that the battle against terrorism cannot be won by the armed forces alone, the army chief said it is "encouraging to see entire nation pursuing this national effort with a great sense of purpose.”

Earlier, it was announced that the operation would extend to Shawal Valley and Balochistan as well.

Pakistan Army has cleared large areas of North Waziristan Agency and Khyber Agency from terrorists through military operations and the next step is to clear Shawal Valley.

Read: 'PM gives go-ahead for ground operation in Shawal Valley'