RAWALPINDI: After a long period of speculation, which also included attempts at peace talks, Pakistan on Sunday launched a military operation against militants in the troubled North Waziristan agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
As the Pakistan Army embarks on this critical mission, get all the updates of the operation, code-named Zarb-e-Azb, here.
All stories relating to Zarb-e-Azb can be found on this trend page as well.
June 17, 9:50pm
Instead of providing relief goods and food, the government has decided to provide each IDP family cash grant of Rs7,000 to take care of their needs.
Read this story for more details on the government’s plan for taking care of IDPs.
June 17, 8:39pm
The federal government announced on Tuesday that Rs500 million will be sanctioned for providing relief to the internally displacement persons (IDPs) fleeing the military operation in North Waziristan.
Read here for more details on the government’s plan for taking care of IDPs.
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June 17, 8:14pm
Minister for States and Frontier Region Abdul Qadir Baloch, who has been tasked by the prime minister to oversee issues relating to the internally displaced people (IDPs), said all IDPs will be registered using biometric systems.
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June 17, 8:02pm
The top US military commander in Afghanistan says the US has increased its surveillance over the Afghan-Pakistan border since Pakistan began pounding a militant stronghold with airstrikes, BBC Urdu reported on Tuesday.
Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford told The Associated Press in an interview that the US was not coordinating military operations with Pakistan along the border, but officials have increased the amount of intelligence-sharing with the Afghans. He said the Afghan troops and US forces in that region were ready for any effects of the strikes, including extremists seeking refuge in Afghanistan.
June 17, 5:10pm
DG ISPR Asim Bajwa has said the operation has not begun in the populated areas of N Waziristan to ensure terrorists don’t escape and civilians are safely evacuated.
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June 17, 5:08pm
Expressing concern over the military operation in FATA, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman claimed that Parliament is helpless before the military establishment.
“The army has taken a decision and parliament has given mere approval for it,” said Fazl during the National Assembly session.
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June 17, 3:54pm
Six terrorist hideouts including a training camp and an IED making factory around Hasokhel, North Waziristan Agency were destroyed by jet aircraft early morning today. Twenty-five foreign and local terrorists were killed in the strikes, according to a press release issued by ISPR.
The statement went on to add that the operation in North Waziristan Agency is progressing as per plan. “Last night three terrorists were killed while fleeing from the cordoned off area in Miranshah. One soldier got injured in exchange of fire.
Further, the statement said, no operation in built up area has been started so far to ensure that no terrorist can escape the cordon and that civilians are safely evacuated after their detailed verification.
“Necessary logistics and administrative arrangements for IDPs have been completed by the political administration and Disaster Management Agency. Security of IDP camp being ensured by Army troops,” the statement said.
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June 17, 3:11pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to ensure provision of ample funds for the rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of the North Waziristan operation.
Meanwhile, PM Nawaz has also directed Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch to visit affected areas of North Waziristan operation. The minister will remain present in the area to look after the displaced people.
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June 17, 12:58pm
Nawaz asks his Kabul counterpart Hamid Karzai to seal the porous Pak-Afghan border where the Pakistani army has deployed troops and tanks, AFP reports.
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June 17, 11:58am
Fresh air strikes early Tuesday target three militant strongholds in Mirali town in North Waziristan and kill 13 alleged militants, three security sources said, AFP reports.
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June 17, 11:55pm
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif cancels his visit to Sri Lanka due to the ongoing operation in North Waziristan Agency, The Express Tribune’s defence correspondent Kamran Yousaf reports.
General Raheel was scheduled to travel to Colombo on Tuesday for a four-day trip. However the military’s media wing says the visit has been called off because of operation Zarb-e-Azb.
June 16, 11:30pm
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday called President Hamid Karazai and discussed issues on regional security,” said a statement issued by Prime Minister Office.
Although the statement did not mention of operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Wazirstan, sources said that the PM had sought cooperation from the Afghan President.
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June 16, 9:43pm
A resolution in favour of the military operation was passed in the National Assembly; Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) abstained from approving it, according to our National Assembly correspondent Azam Khan.
The resolution, moved by Zahid Hamid, was signed and supported by PML (N), PPP, PTI, MQM and ANP.
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June 16, 8:56pm
According to an ISPR press release, COAS General Raheel Sharif emphasized that all terrorists along with their sanctuaries must be eliminated without any discrimination.
It further stated that the operation is not targeted against the tribes of North Waziristan, but against terrorists holed up in the Agency who have picked up arms against Pakistan.
He directed all those concerned to undertake special measures towards diligent management of IDPs in conjunction with the relevant civilian agencies.
COAS reiterated that with the support of the nation, particularly of the tribal brethren, Operation Zarb-e-Azb will be concluded successfully and comprehensively, the press release said.
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June 16, 8:44pm
According to Express News, army chief says terrorists are the target in North Waziristan, not locals.
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June 16, 8:32pm
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif visited the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar where he was briefed about the operation, according to Express News.
June 16, 8:15pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday constituted a national coordination committee to oversee the operation and related issues.
The coordination committee would hold meetings on regular basis and will keep the Prime Minister informed about the progress of the operation, said a statement issued by PM office.
The committee will be comprised of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Senator Parvez Rashid, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Lt General (retd) Abdul Quadir Baloch and Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Secretary interior, secretary finance, chief sectary K-P, Chairman NDMA, Chief of General Staff, DG MO, DG ISI, DG ISPR would also be the part of the committee.
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June 16, 8:05pm
After his speech in the National Assembly, Imran Khan says the government should have taken all stakeholders into confidence over the decision of the army operation, Express News reports.
He added that the government should have provided them with details of the operation.
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June 16, 6:48pm
Nawaz requests the house to be allowed to leave after completing his speech. He doesn’t stay to listen to the speeches of the opposition leader PPP’s Khursheed Shah or of PTI’s Imran Khan.
Read a comprehensive story on the prime minster’s speech here.
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June 16, 6:46pm
At no cost will the country become a safe haven for terrorists, says Nawaz.
Pakistan is paying heavy price for terrorism, says the PM, adding that Pakistanis homes and mosques were targeted.
He said that terrorism has affected every aspect of Pakistan – tourism, sports and the economy.
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June 16, 6:43pm
Abdul Qadir Baloch will be assigned to manage the facilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons.
PM Nawaz expects the tribes to play an important part in this operation.
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June 16, 6:42pm
PM requests religious leaders to play their role in eradicating extremism from the country.
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June 16, 6:41pm
The PM added that blood was spilled in Karachi and Islamabad despite our peace efforts.
Media and oppostion parties should stand united with the government and the armed forces.
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June 16, 6:38pm
All the decisions were taken in consultation with all stakeholders, including the armed forces, he says.
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June 16, 6:36pm
The PM says the government had decided to give peace a chance, pointing out that they had started the negotiation process which had been endorsed by Parliament.
He says that the people of Pakistan are witnesses to these “sincere” efforts, which, he says, were not reciprocated from the other side (TTP).
He says that while the government was trying to negotiate, the TTP targeted the country’s children.
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June 16, 5:59pm
The house has gone into break, but it looks like the floor is getting ready for the briefing.
Adviser to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz is present at the National Assembly as well as Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif.
Imran Khan’s speech writer has also been spotted in the gathering.
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June 16, 5:35pm
The session of the National Assembly, which was to see the prime minister brief parliament (and the nation) on the operation under way in North Waziristan, began at 4:22pm.
The session is being chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
So far, the session has only seen speeches on the budget – no sign of the prime minister yet.
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June 16, 5:21pm
Army will deployed in all major cities of Pakistan, Express News reports.
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June 16, 4:25pm
As the army launches arguably its toughest operation yet against militants in the country’s restive tribal region, The Express Tribune takes a look back at previous major operations launched to root out militancy in the past 10 years.
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June 16, 3:42pm
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supports the operation in North Waziristan, Express News reports.
According to ISPR, six soldiers were killed while three others were injured in an IED explosion near Ghulam Khan town near Afghan border in North Waziristan tribal region.
(L-R) Sepoy Bashir Ahmed Shaheed, Sepoy Afsar Ali Shaheed and Sepoy Nazar Gul Shaheed
(L-R) Lance Naik Zahid Hussain Turi Shaheed, Naik Aman Ullah Shaheed and Naib Subedar Alamgir Shaheed
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June 16, 3:20pm
Army will be deployed in sensitive areas of Karachi, according to Express News.
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June 16, 3:12pm
PM Nawaz Sharif is expected to address the National Assembly at 4pm on the ongoing operation in North Waziristan.
June 16, 2:50pm
Giving details about yesterday’s offensive, the ISPR press release states that 140 militants – mostly Uzbek – were killed in precise air strikes in Degan-Boya area of North Waziristan.
“Many East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) terrorists and their affiliates have also been killed in the strikes. It was a massive blow to the terrorists and one of their main communication centres has been dismantled,” the ISPR states.
Around seven fleeing terrorists were also killed on the outskirts of Mirali last night. In a separate sniper action by Special Service Group, three terrorists were killed when they were planting IEDs close to Miranshah
Three soldiers were injured last night in exchange of fire between army men and terrorists around Mirali.
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June 16, 2:39pm
“We will rid the country of terrorists,” Army Chief General Raheel Sharif says, speaking about the operation in North Waziristan. He adds that the operation will continue until all terrorists are eliminated.
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June 16, 2:31pm
Our defence correspondent Kamran Yousaf tells us that at least seven suspected militants were killed in the Shawal area in the first ground encounter between security forces and militants since the army moved into North Waziristan Agency.
A senior security official tells The Express Tribune that a shootout took place in early hours on Monday.
This is the first reported encounter between the army and militants on the ground as earlier militants were killed in air strikes.
Giving details about the operation, the official tells our defence correspondent that militants were surrounded by the army in the overnight raid with the intention to capture them alive. However, the official adds, the militants opened fired and were killed in the shootout.
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June 16, 2:25pm
The Sindh Assembly passes a unanimous resolution, supporting army operation in North Waziristan.
For more details, read here.
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June 16, 2:22pm
The press release further states: “Operation in North Waziristan Agency is progressing as per plan. No operation in civil populated areas has been started so far. North Waziristan Agency has been isolated by deploying troops along its border with neighbouring agencies and Fata regions to block any move of terrorists in and out of the Agency.”
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June 16, 2:18pm
ISPR says security has been beefed up in all major cities and towns and at sensitive installations across the country by civil administration.
“Army troops have been alerted and forward placed to assist law enforcement agencies. They will remain at designated places and whenever asked by civil administration will be employed in case of emergency,” ISPR adds.
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June 16, 2:15pm
In its latest press release, ISPR says jet aircraft destroyed six hideouts in Shawal, killing 27 suspected militants. “There was no civil population in the area,” the press release states.
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June 16, 10:52am
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif says this operation will continue till the surrender or elimination of enemy.
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June 16, 10:35am
Pakistan Air Force launches fresh air strikes in North Waziristan as part of Zarb-e-Azb operation - a long-awaited offensive to eliminate militants from their border stronghold.
A local security official says fighter jets bombed two buildings west of Miranshah – the main town of North Waziristan – early Monday killing at least 10 Uzbek militants who were sheltering in them.
June 15, 11:04pm
The defence minister has said that dialogue was not honoured by the Taliban and the government got frustrated by attacks on innocent Pakistanis and national assets.
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June 15, 10:26pm
ISPR has also released a detailed statement on the North Waziristan operation. You can read the entire press release here.
According to the statement, eight hideouts of terrorists were destroyed and 105 terrorists, mostly Uzbek foreigners, were killed.
“As of now North Wazirastan Agency has been isolated by deploying troops along its border with neighboring agencies and FATA Regions to block any move of terrorists in and out of the Agency,” said the statement, adding that within the agency, troops have moved and cordoned off all terrorists bases, including in the town of Mirali and Miranshah.
“Announcements will be made for local population to approach designated areas for their orderly and dignified evacuation out of the Agency. Meanwhile, aerial surveillance of the area is being carried out by own aerial surveillance platforms,” the statement added.
Further, the statement added that Afghan security forces have also been requested to seal the border on their side to facilitate the operation. “They have also been requested to initiate immediate measures to eliminate TTP terrorists and their sanctuaries in Kunar, Nuristan and other areas of Afghanistan.”
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June 15, 10:19pm
ISPR has given the first two official updates regarding the operation on the ground.
The DG ISPR has tweeted that all potential terrorists bases have been cordoned off and the civilian population will be allowed to leave. Further, an IDP camp has also been established.
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June 15, 9:52pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to take Parliament into confidence on Monday about the government’s decision to launch a military operation in North Waziristan.
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June 15, 9:02pm
Information Minister Pervez Rashid has appealed to all political parties to stand by the army during the operation. He went on to add that the militants will either drop their weapons or face defeat, Express News reported.
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June 15, 8:45pm
A military official in the main North Waziristan town of Miramshah told AFP that the coordinated operation – involving airforce, artillery, tanks and ground troops – has already started.
After the announcement of the full-scale operation in the North Waziristan area, a security official on ground said that thousands of troops have been moved for action.
“Thousands of troops will participate in this action. You can roughly say 25,000 to 30,000 troops will be involved in the operation,” the official said on the condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to media.
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June 15, 7:50pm
Talking to Express News, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the government went through with peace talks, but once they failed the government decided to launch military action. He went on to add that civilians residing in that area will face difficulties due to the operation, but the government is prepared to assist them.
“The army is ready and citizens should remain calm army is prepared to deal with difficult situations and will help civilians move,” he said, adding that air and ground forces are fully ready to act and will bring complete peace to the area.
“We will complete the operation as soon as possible,” he added.
Asif said that the decision of the operation against terrorists reflects the wishes of people of the country.
In a statement on Sunday, he said the government fully tried to resolve the issue through dialogue. He said the decision of the operation is taken thoughtfully, keeping in view all options.
The defence minister said the operation is need of the hour and would continue till complete elimination of the enemies.
He said the Pakistani nation is with the armed forces of the country. The minister expressed confidence that the operation will be a success of our armed forces.
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June 15, 7:19pm
The meaning of Zarb-e-Azb is sharp and cutting. It’s reportedly the sword used by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the battle of Badar.
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June 15, 6:59pm
ISPR press release announces launch of military operation.
“DG ISPR has said that on the directions of the Government, Armed forces of Pakistan have launched a comprehensive operation against foreign and local terrorists who are hiding in sanctuaries in North Waziristan Agency. The operation has been named Zarb-e-Azb,” said the press release.
The ISPR statement went on to add that terrorists in North Waziristan had waged a war against the state of Pakistan and had been disrupting life in all its dimensions, stunting our economic growth and causing enormous loss of life and property. “They had also paralysed life within the agency and had perpetually terrorised the entire peace loving and patriotic local population,” the statement added.
“Our valiant armed forces have been tasked to eliminate these terrorists regardless of hue and colour, along with their sanctuaries. With the support of the entire nation, and in coordination with other state institutions and Law Enforcement Agencies, these enemies of the state will be denied space anywhere across the country. As always, armed forces of Pakistan will not hesitate in rendering any sacrifice for the motherland,” said the statement.
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