ISLAMABAD: Chief military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said on Tuesday that the Pakistan army will "completely eliminate" terrorists sanctuaries and hideouts from North Waziristan.

Street search by army troops in Miramshah. — Photo by ISPR

In a press briefing, Bajwa said that 447 terrorists have been killed so far whereas 88 hideouts have been destroyed. He also said that 26 soldiers have lost their lives. However, this information could not be independently verified as journalists do not have access to most parts of the restive agency.

The major general said that a ground operation in Mir Ali has started and that militant commander Matiullah was among those who were killed. Terrorists put up resistance when forces penetrated the area, however, 11 surrendered.

Search for terrorist hideouts in Miramshah. — Photo by ISPR

The DG ISPR also added that 80 per cent of Miramshah has been cleared by the security forces.

Bajwa also said, "North Waziristan had become a hub of terrorism where several terrorist networks were based and had been operating for a long time."

"Terrorists used to brainwash suicide bombers while recruiting them in North Waziristan."

The DG ISPR appreciated the country's efforts to facilitate the IDPs and said relief supplies were coming in large quantities for the displaced persons.

He said many people were giving cash donations as a result of which Rs 675 million had been collected by the Pak Army. The DG ISPR assured that it would reach the displaced persons.

Bajwa was accompanied by the Federal Minister for State and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch.

Baloch said the government had been sincere in holding talks with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) till the very last moment but it was the Taliban who carried out terrorists attacks and violated the ceasefire.

He also brushed aside suggestions that the military was running affairs, and said all matters including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are under civilian control.

He added that the military is only assisting the civilian administration in Bannu.

Five Pakistani soldiers killed in gunfight with militants

Five Pakistani soldiers were killed Tuesday in a gunfight with militants during an army offensive against insurgent hideouts in a northwestern tribal area, the military said.

The clash happened near the town of Mirali in North Waziristan, where the army is in the midst of a major operation to clear the area of militants and their strongholds.

The military said in a statement earlier that “three soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom) and six others were injured in exchange of fire with terrorists while clearing area Fateh Khel near town of Mirali”.

Later they announced that two more soldiers were killed while two others were also injured.

It said 11 “terrorists” were also killed.

The area is off-limits to journalists, so the number and identity of those killed cannot be verified independently.

A security official told AFP that the army had begun ground operations in the Mirali and Dattakhel areas on Monday.

The military launched the long-awaited offensive last month to try to wipe out longstanding militant strongholds in North Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan.

Jets and artillery began hitting rebel targets on June 15 to try to regain full control of the district after years of pressure from Washington and other powers.

The assault was launched after a dramatic attack on Karachi airport which killed dozens of people and marked the end of a faltering peace process with the Pakistani Taliban – AFP

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