In a series of tweets posted on his official Twitter account Wednesday, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Bajwa outlined Pakistan Army's successes in Operation Zarb-i-Azb, revealing that 263 terrorists have been killed so far in Khyber Agency's Tirah Valley.
The ISPR spokesman tweeted that the information was given in a briefing to Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif during his visit to frontline troops amidst the ongoing operation in Khyber Agency. He reviewed phenomenal progress so far made in eliminating terrorists
Bajwa said terrorist strongholds in the region have been reduced and no escapes have been allowed in this operation.
The Army Chief was also informed that the area is infested with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which are mostly foreign made.
He was also told that 392 IEDs have been neutralised by special engineers, whereas 35 soldiers have embraced martyrdom since the start of Operation Khyber-2.
DG ISPR said that the COAS paid a rich tribute to soldiers and appreciated their sacrifices rendered in the operation. He directed troops to continue with the same momentum until terrorism is completely eliminated and ultimate peace is achieved.
Gen Raheel said that the nation values sacrifices made and stands united with the troops. The COAS also said that he appreciates full support from tribal brethren to eliminate terrorists from their areas, adding that terrorists will not be allowed to ever return.
Khyber is among Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border, rife with homegrown insurgents and foreign militants. These are also home to religious extremist organisations including Al Qaeda.Intensifying their efforts to counter militants in Khyber, security forces upped their action in the region through operation Khyber-One.
Last month, operation Khyber-Two against Taliban and other terrorist groups hiding in different parts of the Tirah valley commenced. Speaking to journalists at an army camp in March, Commandant of the Khyber Rifles, Col Tariq Hafeez, pledged that security forces would reclaim all areas at present under the control of several outlawed militant groups in Khyber Agency and Fata.
Know more: Khyber-2 operation against militants to start in March
Col Hafeez said that with the arrest of 25 hardcore terrorists, security forces had achieved much of the objectives of the Khyber-One operation. He said that security forces were now determined to annihilate all anti-state elements operating on Pakistan’s soil.