NewsZarb-e-Azb: Pakistan urges Afghanistan to arrest TTP chief Fazlullah
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has once again urged Afghan authorities to arrest Tehreek-e-Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah, who is hiding in Afghanistan.
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Minister for Information Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa gave briefing to foreign media about on-going military operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ in North Waziristan here on Tuesday.
They informed that no one will be allowed to use Pakistani soil for terrorist activities. They urged the Afghan government to arrest TTP chief Fazlullah staying in that country.
Officials said the operation will continue till establishment of complete writ of government in the N. Waziristan. They said NWA is the last safe haven of terrorists which will be purged from them at all costs.
“Operation was launched after giving chance to peace and for this purpose dialogue process was initiated,” the official asserted.
Maj. Gen. Bajwa said that terrorists of all hues and colors were being killed in the operation.
To a question, he said that it was totally Pakistan’s own operation and Pakistan only requested Afghanistan and ISAF for sealing of the border so that the terrorists could not hide across Durand line.
The DG ISPR made it clear that drone attacks were not part of the plan as Pakistan was using its own air force very effectively and with precision. He said that Pakistan had the estimated figure of terrorists in North Waziristan and not a single terrorist would be spared by the time of the completion of the operation.
About the success of the operation, he said that the target was to re-establish writ of the state in the agency, eliminate all the terrorists and make the agency ready for development works like South Waziristan.
Abdul Qadir Baloch said that Pakistan would not ask for any financial support from the international community but the world community should realise its responsibility and do what it was supposed to do.
Replying to a question, Pervaiz Rashid said that Pakistan stance on drone attacks was very clear as they proved counter productive.
Earlier giving a presentation on the Zarb-e-Azb operation, the DG ISPR said that so far 376 terrorists have been killed. He informed the troops have recovered underground tunnels and IEDs preparation factories inside the so far cleared area.
He said integrated fire of Artillery Tanks and other heavy weapons is being carried out on terrorist’s concentrations in the agency and effective cordon is in place at areas housing terrorists.
Since start of operation Zarb-e-Azb on 15 June 376 terrorists have been killed while 19 have surrendered to the security forces. He said that 61 terrorist hideouts have been destroyed in the operation while 19 soldiers have embraced Shahadat.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk