Operation Zarb-e-Azb in final stages: Army chief

Army chief directs operation commanders to cut terrorists off from their friends, foreign support

RAWALPINDI: Over a year after it began, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said on Wednesday that Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which was started against militants in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, is in its final stages with the remaining terrorists to be eliminated soon, Radio Pakistan reported.

A statement from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the army chief had visited troops at the front line on Wednesday. Without specifying whether he was in north or south Waziristan, the statement said that he reviewed progress of ongoing operations.

General Raheel said that any remnants of terrorists, who have been squeezed into penny pockets will also be cleared shortly. He added that enemies of the state and their financiers will find no place to hide and will meet their logical end during the operation.



PHOTO: ISPR

The COAS also oversaw future operations, including Shawal operation, and directed commanders to ensure that terrorists remain cut off from their friends and their foreign support.

Read: Army chief reaches Waziristan to spend Eid with troops

The army chief said successes of the military offensive and sacrifices of the officers and men were acknowledged by the entire nation.

While reviewing the progress of continuing operations, General Raheel expressed satisfaction and appreciated the morale of officers who were fighting the terrorists in the most rugged terrain.

His visit comes just two days after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in a press conference accused terrorist safe havens in Pakistan for orchestrating some of the deadliest attacks in Kabul.