Operation Zarb-e-Azb updates: Number of civilians fleeing expected ground offensive passes 150,000

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 20, 4:16pm Gunship helicopters pounded militant targets in North Waziristan Friday, killing up to 20 rebels, as the number of civilians fleeing an expected ground offensive passed 150,000. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 20, 3:10pm The United Nations (UN) health agencies are supporting Pakistan’s humanitarian efforts to help thousands of people who have left North Waziristan where armed forces have launched an anti-terrorist operation, a UN spokesperson said on Thursday. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, while speaking at a regular media briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York, said that access remained the “greatest challenge” in the areas of displacement and urged the authorities to improve the humanitarian space. He said an estimated 34,000 people fled North Waziristan on Wednesday, following a relaxation in the curfew, bringing the total number of people displaced from the area since May to some 100,000. Further movement was anticipated, he added. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 20, 2:46pm Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, Express News reported. The premier gave a briefing of the operation and the assistance being provided to the IDPs. Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted: June 20, 9:17 am Gunship helicopters shell suspected militant hideouts in Qutub Khel suburb of Miramshah, Express News reports. Artillery shells are also being fired from security camps. Today is the last day for tribesmen to vacate the affected areas. June 19, 11:59 pm Pakistan has sought extradition of TTP chief Mullah Fazlullah from Afghanistan. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 19, 10:33pm Chairing a high level meeting in Islamabad, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has sought national unity and stressed that “there is a need to extend full support to our jawans (soldiers) in the combat area.” Read more about the meeting here. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 19, 10:10 pm Afghan president Hamid Karzai called prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday assuring the latter of former’s support. Read details of the call here. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 19, 5:45pm The Foreign Office has clarified that drone strikes have no links with the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan, adding that it was completely misleading and wrong to attach the two. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 19, 5:14pm Civilians are streaming out of a tribal area in a two-pronged exodus ahead of an expected ground assault against militants, officials said Thursday, with many crossing the border into Afghanistan. Tanks and troops have been mobilised and are expected to begin a new, more intense phase of the operation after a three-day window to allow civilians to leave the area, due to end on June 20. Officials say that at least 113,000 people have fled North Waziristan since initial air strikes began in May. “Afghan authorities have yet to prepare a final report but up to now they have provided assistance to 818 Pakistani families,” an official responsible for monitoring the displacement on the Afghan border told AFP. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 19, 3:50pm Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said national unity is inevitable for the success of the military operation in North Waziristan, while talking to Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, according to Radio Pakistan. The prime minister said Pakistan is fighting a decisive war against terrorists, adding that the jawans engaged in the war would be extended full support. He also said that IDPs in K-P would be fully assisted. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 19, 3:22pm Fifteen terrorists were killed in Zartatangi mountain heights, east of Miramshah by army gunship cobra helicopters last night when spotted. It was one of the main communication centres of terrorists, said an ISPR statement. “In a separate sniper action, eight Uzbeks were killed around Miramshah while planting IEDs on the road Miramshah-Mirali,” the statement added. Further, the ISPR statement said, areas housing terrorists in North Wazirstan Agency are continuously being cordoned off, while terrorists’ attempts to flee the area have been foiled. “Today, evacuation of civil population from Miramshah and Ghulam Khan started. Check points have been established at various places where IDPs are being provided all administrative support including food items and medicine by security forces,” said the statement. Furthermore, it added that the number of registration points at Saidgai Post have been increased to 20 — 10 each for men and women, for speedy and organised evacuation. IDP camps at Bannu have also been established, the ISPR said in its statement. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 19, 1:32pm According to an ISPR press release, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited Air Headquarters Islamabad and called on Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt.