Air Strikes
On the second day of operation Zarb-e-Azb Pakistan Air Force launched jet strikes and destroyed six militant bases. The air sortie at the west of Miranshah resulted in the death of 27 terrorists, while 13 were killed in the air strikes at Shawal region. PKKH was informed that six Uzbek militants who were trying to hide in the abandoned school in this area were also taken out.
The Shawal area of North Waziristan is mostly inhabited by the militants who use it as their hideouts. The civilians of Miranshah and Mir Ali were instructed in the early hours of the inception of Zab-e-Azb to evict the area.
First Ground Encounter
The first standoff between the security forces and the insurgents happened in Shawal, where seven militants were killed after they unsuccessfully tried to break the cordon in an attempt to flee. The exchange of fire resulted in the martyrdom of two soldiers of Pakistan Army. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast also resulted in the deaths of six security personnel.
Total of 187 militants have been killed, as yet.
TTP Statement and security high alert in major cities of Pakistan
As retaliation, TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid issued a statement in which he
threatened attacks on Lahore and Islamabad. In a strongly worded statement, Shahid also exhorted, “Foreign investors, airlines, and multinational companies should cut off business with Pakistan”. In addition, the spokesman also asserted that the government palaces will be burnt in retaliatory attacks by TTP fighters.
The security in Islamabad and all the major cities has already been beefed up, with the army deployment in sensitive installments. The safety of all
the major prisons and airports in Pakistan has been increased.
Political Consensus
Most of the
political parties of Pakistan including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan People Party, Mutahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party issued statements in the support of army operation. The leader of Jamat-e-Islami , Mr. Siraj ul Haq expressed his displeasure
Mr. Tahir ul Qadri, the leader of Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Hafiz Saeed, the head of Salafist Jamaat-ud-Dawa also
expressed their support for the military operation in two separate statements.
The parliamentarians of National Assembly and Sindh Provincial Assembly also passed resolutions supporting military operation in North Waziristan. In his first speech briefing since the inception of Zarb-e-Azb, the premier Mr. Nawaz Sharif stressed that operation will not end until all terrorists are eliminated.
Contributing Reporter: Atiq Durrani
Note: PKKH will keep its readers updated about the military offensive in NWA. The reports will be issued on daily basis.
Source PKKH.tv