News
13 more killed as forces brace for extending ground action to Mir Ali
By Sardar Sikander Shaheen
ISLAMABAD: The security forces on Saturday braced for extending the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation from Miranshah to Mir Ali in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), following aerial strikes in Mir Ali area that killed at least 13 terrorists including foreigners.
The strikes were conducted by the army’s Cobra gunship choppers, military sources said.
“Most of Miranshah is secured but the operation is still in combat stage there. The clearing and cleansing operation would follow it,” officials told Daily Times, adding that ground reinforcements in Mir Ali would follow that in Miranshah.
NWA Political Agent Siraj Ahmad Khan told Daily Times the security forces have conducted multiple rounds of search operations across NWA to ensure that any civilians were not stranded in any part of the tribal agency. “The search operations are completed and there is zero civilian population,” he said, adding that aerial and ground surveillance was conducted in Miranshah, Mir Ali, Ghulam Khan and Razmak. Shawal has maximum concentration of terrorists with no civilian population and the terrorists are being taken on there, he said. “In few weeks, the writ of the state would be restored in most parts of North Waziristan,” he claimed.
According to an operation update issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists fired rockets on a security forces check post in Mir Ali from inside Mir Ali town. Air strikes were launched early Saturday morning killing 13 terrorists and destroying seven hideouts, it said, adding that a huge cache of arms and ammunition was also destroyed. Most of the terrorists killed in strikes are foreigners, the update said.
Two explosive laden vehicles were destroyed through aviation strikes at Degan. Two suicide bombers were identified and chased who exploded themselves close to Boya area, according to ISPR.
The consolidation of cleared areas in Miranshah continues and huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during last 24 hours in Khar Warsak and Zartangi areas, it said.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk