Zarb-i-Azb: Army airstrikes kill 23 suspected militants in NWA

E-Paper | May 22, 2026

ISLAMABAD: At least 23 suspected terrorist were killed in fresh airstrikes on militant hideouts in Ismail Khel and Zerom areas of North Waziristan Agency, Pakistani military said on Thursday.

A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Pakistan Army in an aerial action targeted militant hideouts in Zerom and Ismail Khel districts, killing at least 23 militants.

These claims, however, could not be independently verified as journalists have limited access to the restive tribal agency.

Military operation Zarb-i-Azb was launched by the Pakistan Army on June 15 following a brazen militant attack on Karachi's international airport and failure of peace talks between the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiators.

More than a million people have fled the offensive in North Waziristan, which is aimed at wiping out longstanding militant strongholds in the area, which borders Afghanistan.

Army chief lauds officers’ resolve in Zarb-i-Azb

Emphasizing on the need of physical fitness for a soldier, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Thursday reiterated that peace time training is the only guarantor for success during war. He also lauded all ranks for their unflinching resolve in the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb.

COAS Gen Raheel Sharif presents a prize at PACES championship on Thursday. – ISPR Photo

General Sharif said this while witnessing the concluding ceremony of Inter Regimental Centre ‘Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System’ (PACES) Championship held at Junior Leaders Academy Shinkiari today. 18 teams participated in the championship.

The army chief appreciated the phenomenal performance and competitive spirit and the efforts of both trainers and trainees in achieving these standards.

PACES has been introduced to further enhance physical fitness standards in the Army to successfully face challenging environment of the future battlefield. It relies on modern techniques and focuses on individuals rather than group based development.

Later, the COAS gave away trophies to winner and runner up teams and medals for best individual performances. Individual medals were won by Sepoy Gulfam, Sepoy Muhammad Zubair, Sepoy Naveed Ashraf and Sepoy Babar Ali.

Earlier on arrival at Junior Leaders Academy, the chief of army staff was received by Lieutenant General Ikramul Haq, the Inspector General Training and Evaluation.

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Amjad Wyne

Sep 18, 2014 07:30pm

Dawn, here is some guidance that may help - When your entire report (total of about 5 lines) is a restatement of what someone else said (in this case, the ISPR) and you do not intend to include (or actually include) any analyses/assessments then just "restate it and leave it there" - there is no need to get into, "could not be independently verified" part. You follow this guideline all the time, for example, you say, "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said so without ever saying that, "his statements could not verified", however, when you mention ISPR, you never fail to sow the seed of suspicion. Come to think of it, you seldom say "could not be verified" about Taliban statements even though they come to you as "unknown person from undisclosed location"...Is there a reason for this pattern/behavior.

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Haroon

Sep 18, 2014 07:35pm

Please remove the line "these claims can not be verified" and support the state. If you are going to use this line then do it on all articles you publish. In true spirit what Dawn is reporting on all matters can not be verified either.

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One Nation

Sep 18, 2014 08:57pm

Well done Pak Army. Please don't stop until you have flushed every single militant from our soil. May God be with you.

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Haider Rehman

Sep 18, 2014 09:03pm

Pakistani Zindabad! Pak fouj Paindabad!

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Shahid

Sep 18, 2014 11:37pm

Chase them till every one of them and their sympathizers are killed. Do not aim for anything short of that. Also do not be distracted by claims of not fighting with the people and armed forces of Pakistan. This is all a delaying tactic to regroup. Nothing short of total dessication should be final target. Long live the armed forces and peace loving people of Pakistan.

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S Chaudhury

Sep 18, 2014 11:51pm

Credit goes to current chief of army for taking the bold steps against terrorists. Last chief of army was avoiding this action. It makes me wonder why?

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Imran A.

Sep 18, 2014 11:57pm

A lot of Taliban apologists must be upset with this news. It is worrisome that the ideology continues to exist in the society. After this operation, the next operation should be to cleanse the society of Taliban apologists too and their perpetuators. Allah Pakistan ko apni panah mein rakhe Amin!

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Joe FL

Sep 19, 2014 12:13am

The army's victories in Zarb-i-Azb show the nation's determination to get rid of the terrorists. This carries a great amount of admiration for Pakistan and gratitude throughout the world. Don't stop until they are totally defeated, and please control the border so they don't come back.

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Saqib

Sep 19, 2014 01:13am

I want to see militants dead numbers in 4 figures asap, meaning over 1000.

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JaniGermn

Sep 19, 2014 01:56am

@Haider Rehman acha jazba hay

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JaniGermn

Sep 19, 2014 01:57am

No independent source is verifying this. ISPR needs to send independent news reporters to such places for better credibility.

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JaniGermn

Sep 19, 2014 02:43am

@Amjad Wyne Your point is valid but truth remains that ISPR statements could not be verified. This should be written with all statements no mater from whom.

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Khan A

Sep 19, 2014 05:31am

Good job, go after two selfish protesting leaders surrounding the parliament and instigating innocent followers.

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El Cid

Sep 20, 2014 02:04pm

@Amjad Wyne:"Come to think of it, you seldom say "could not be verified" about Taliban statements even though they come to you as "unknown person from undisclosed location"...Is there a reason for this pattern/behavior." Yes there is a reason. Dawn has reasons to believe, from 'other' verified and collaborative sources, that ISPR is a load of lies, obfuscation, propaganda and nonsense. Dawn is simply hedging its bets. It is passing on ISPR's statements but knows better than to back its lies with their name. Dawn knows they will come back to haunt it later. Dawn's a hardened pragmatic bunch. A whole lot of horror passes before their eyes...which they'd rather spare you from.

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