Jump to content

Operation Zarb-e-Azb: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 32°57′45.31″N 70°7′32.64″E / 32.9625861°N 70.1257333°E / 32.9625861; 70.1257333
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Hanibal911 (talk | contribs)
9,936 edits
No edit summary
→Timeline: Expansion
Line 105: Line 105:
{{anchor|7 July|8 July|9 July|10 July|11 July|12 July|13 July|14 July|15 July|16 July}}
{{anchor|7 July|8 July|9 July|10 July|11 July|12 July|13 July|14 July|15 July|16 July}}
{{anchor|18 July|19 July|20 July|23 July|24 July|26 July|27 July|29 July|30 July|2 August}}
{{anchor|18 July|19 July|20 July|23 July|24 July|26 July|27 July|29 July|30 July|2 August}}
{{anchor|4 August|5 August|9 August|14 August|19 August}}
{{anchor|4 August|5 August|9 August|14 August|19 August|30 August|3 September|8 September|9 September|10 September}}
{{anchor|12 September}}

{{glossary}}
{{glossary}}
{{term|15 June}}
{{term|15 June}}
Line 209: Line 211:
{{term|19 August}}
{{term|19 August}}
{{defn|48 militants were killed in air strikes and shelling by gunship helicopters of the Pakistani military, destroying seven militant hideouts and several vehicles in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1126325/48-suspected-militants-killed-in-fresh-nwa-khyber-airstrikes | title=48 suspected militants killed in fresh NWA, Khyber airstrikes | work=Zahir Shah Sherazi | date=19 August 2014 | agency=Dawn | accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref>}}
{{defn|48 militants were killed in air strikes and shelling by gunship helicopters of the Pakistani military, destroying seven militant hideouts and several vehicles in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1126325/48-suspected-militants-killed-in-fresh-nwa-khyber-airstrikes | title=48 suspected militants killed in fresh NWA, Khyber airstrikes | work=Zahir Shah Sherazi | date=19 August 2014 | agency=Dawn | accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref>}}
{{term|30 August}}
{{defn|32 militants were killed and three hideouts destroyed by army gunship helicopters in the remote areas of North Waziristan. According to ISPR, 23 explosive laden vehicles and four ammunition dumps were also destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|title=32 killed as army target militants in North Waziristan|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/30-Aug-2014/32-killed-as-army-target-militants-in-north-waziristan|date=August 30, 2014|work=Daily Times|accessdate=October 20, 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6TTANIDdu|archivedate=October 20, 2014}}</ref>}}
{{term|3 September}}
{{defn|According to ISPR, 910 militants had been killed so far in the operation. Eighty-two soldiers had also been killed (42 were killed in North Waziristan Agency) while 269 others have been injured, added the ISPR statement. The Pakistan Armed Forces had cleared Miramshah, Mirali, Datta Khel, Degan, Boya areas of North Waziristan which were considered strongholds of terrorists.<ref>{{cite news|title=910 militants killed since start of Operation Zarb-e-Azb: ISPR|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/757315/910-militants-killed-to-date-since-start-of-operation-zarb-e-azb-ispr/|date=September 3, 2014|work=The Express Tribune|accessdate=October 20, 2014}}</ref>}}

{{term|8 September}}
{{defn|Ten militants were killed and five vehicles were destroyed by Pakistani gunship helicopters in Boya Degan, according to ISPR.<ref>{{cite news|title=Airstrikes in North Waziristan kill 10 suspected militants|url=http://www.thefrontierpost.com/airstrikes-in-north-waziristan-kill-10-suspected-militants/|date=September 8, 2014|work=The Frontier Post|accessdate=October 20, 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6TTCBwuES|archivedate=October 20, 2014}}</ref>}}

{{term|9 September}}
{{defn|A Pakistani soldier and six militants were killed in a counter-attack during a clearance operation near Datta Khel. A civilian logistic staff member was also killed while providing supplies to the forces.<ref>{{cite news|title=Six militants, soldier killed in Pak clashes|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/world/neighbours/six-militants-soldier-killed-in-pak-clashes/|date=September 9, 2014|work=Indian Express|accessdate=October 20, 2014}}</ref>}}

{{term|10 September}}
{{defn|35 militants were killed when Pakistan bombed three militant hideouts in Datta Khel. Another 30 militants were killed when Pakistani fighter planes bombed two militant hideouts in Shawal.<ref>{{cite news|title=At Least 65 Militants Killed in Airstrikes, Pakistan Says|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/world/asia/at-least-65-militants-killed-in-airstrikes-pakistan-says.html|date=September 10, 2014|work=The New York Times|accessdate=October 20, 2014}}</ref>}}


{{term|12 September}}
{{defn|DG ISPR Asim Bajwa stated that the army is ready to go into remote areas to take down militants, if required. He added that the 10 militants behind the attack on Malala Yousafzai that took place on October 12, 2012 had been arrested, and those behind attack on Ziarat residency had also been arrested. He revealed that over 1,000 militants had been killed in North Waziristan including 45 hardcore militants, while 134 hardcore militants had also been arrested.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malala Yousafzai's attackers arrested: DG ISPR|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/761376/malala-yousafzais-attackers-arrested-dg-ispr/|date=September 12, 2014|work=The Express Tribune|accessdate=October 20, 2014}}</ref>}}




{{term|14 September}}
{{defn|Three Frontier Corps personnel were killed when a group of militants launched a rocket attack on a mountain fort in Spinwam area of North Waziristan near Afghan border.<ref>{{cite news|title=Militant attack on army fort kills three FC men in North Waziristan|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/762137/militant-attack-on-army-fort-kills-three-fc-men-in-north-waziristan/|date=September 14|work=The Express Tribune|accessdate=October 20, 2014}}</ref>}}
{{glossary end}}
{{glossary end}}


Revision as of 17:51, 20 October 2014

Operation Zarb-e-Azb
Part of the war in North-West Pakistan and the War on Terror
July 1, 2014-Security Forces carrying out house to house search operation in Miranshah, North Waziristan Agency
Security Forces carrying out house to house search operation in Miranshah, North Waziristan Agency
Date15 June 2014–present
(10 years, 4 months, 2 weeks and 2 days)
Location
North Waziristan, FATA, Pakistan
32°57′45.31″N 70°7′32.64″E / 32.9625861°N 70.1257333°E / 32.9625861; 70.1257333
Status Ongoing
Belligerents

Pakistan Islamic Republic of Pakistan

United States United States of America

Insurgent groups

Commanders and leaders

Pakistan President
Mamnoon Hussain

Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif

Army Chief
Raheel Sharif

Chairman JCSC
Rashad Mahmood

DG ISI
Zaheerul Islam

Air Chief
Tahir Rafique Butt

Naval Chief

Asif Sandila

Insurgent groups Maulana Fazlullah
Sheikh Khalid Haqqani
Sheharyar Mehsud
Adnan Rashid

Usman Ghazi[4]
Strength
20,000[5]–30,000[6] 2,000 (unconfirmed sources)[7]
Casualties and losses
86 killed (Ground offensive)

In Pakistani offensive:
1200+ killed [N 1]
35 captured[8][9]
19 surrendered[10]
104 hideouts destroyed


In American drone strikes:
68+ killed, 10 injured (as of 6 August)[11][12][13]
2 civilians killed, 1 injured[8][14]
929,859 IDPs registered (as of 14 July)[15]

Operation Zarb-e-Azb (Urdu: آپریشن ضربِ عضب ALA-LC: [Āpres̱ẖan Ẓarb-i ʿAẓb] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: urdu (help) pronounced [ɑːpreːʃən zərb-e əzb]) is a joint military offensive operation involving the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and armed insurgent groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al-Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and Afghan militant factions such as the Haqqani network. The operation was launched by the Pakistan Armed Forces on 15 June 2014 in North Waziristan (part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghan border) as a renewed effort against militancy in the wake of the 8 June attack on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, for which the TTP and the IMU claimed responsibility.[16] Up to 30,000 soldiers are involved in the operation, described as a "comprehensive operation" to flush out foreign and local militants hiding in North Waziristan.[17] It is part of the ongoing war in North-West Pakistan and the war on terror.

The operation has received widespread support from the Pakistani political, defence and civilian sectors. The two largest Islamic clerical groups (the Pakistan Ulema Council and the Council of Islamic Ideology) declared a fatwa endorsing the offensive, calling it a jihad against terrorism.[18][19][20]

Etymology

Zarb-e-Azb (Urdu: ضربِ عضب ALA-LC: [Ẓarb-i ʿAẓb] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: urdu (help) pronounced [zərb-e əzb]) means "sharp and cutting strike".[21] Azb also refers to the name of the sword belonging to the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which he used in the battles of Badr and Uhud.[22]

Background

Peace negotiations

Peace negotiations with the Taliban were announced by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after his election,[23] although previous attempts to engage the Taliban in dialogue had failed. The first session of talks, between committees appointed by the Government of Pakistan and the Taliban, was held on 26 March 2014 at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.[24] The Taliban did not name representatives from their ranks, instead nominating pro-Taliban religious figures to present their views.[23] The movement called for the implementation of Sharia in Pakistan; the Pakistani government demanded the cessation of hostilities, insisting that talks be held within the framework of the Constitution of Pakistan.[23] A month-long ceasefire was reached between the government and the Taliban on 1 March 2014.[25]

In addition to the meetings at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, negotiations involved helicopter travel by government representatives to the area near the Afghan border. The government had indicated that stronger military action would be implemented if the talks failed.[24]

Failure

Negotiations collapsed after the execution of 23 Pakistani Frontier Corps soldiers by the Taliban on 17 February 2014.[26][27] The soldiers had been held by the insurgents since 2010, and on 17 April 2014 the TTP formally ended the ceasefire.[28] More than 90 militants have been killed by Taliban infighting since March 2014. The strife, triggered by differences between the Mehsud group (led by Sheheryar Mehsud) and another TTP faction (led by Khan Said Sajna), impeded the peace talks.[29] The negotiations were irreversibly damaged by a terrorist attack on Karachi Airport for which the Taliban claimed responsibility and which killed 28 people (including security personnel).[30][31] A Pakistani security official said, "The army is ready for an operation. It now all depends on the government to make a decision."[32]

Jinnah Airport attack

Main article: 2014 Jinnah International Airport attack

The operation began one week after a terrorist attack on Pakistan's busiest airport. On 8 June 2014, 10 militants from the TTP and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan attacked Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, killing 28 people (including the attackers) and wounding at least 18.[30]

After the attack, the Pakistani military launched a series of aerial strikes on militant hideouts in the tribal areas along the Afghan border. At least 25 militants, including foreign fighters, were killed on 10 June.[33] Two drone attacks on 12 June killed Uzbek, Afghan and local militants.[34][35] On 15 June the Pakistani military intensified air strikes in North Waziristan and bombed eight foreign militant hideouts, killing as many as 140 militants (most Uzbek, including persons linked to the airport attack and airport attack commander and mastermind Abu Abdur Rehman Almani).[36][37] The intensified aerial strikes in the wake of the attack were an extension of operations against militants conducted over the last few months.[33]

Preparations

Using North Waziristan as a base, these terrorists had waged a war against the state of Pakistan and had been disrupting our national life in all its dimensions, stunting our economic growth and causing enormous loss of life and property. They had also paralyzed life within the agency and had perpetually terrorized the entire peace loving and patriotic local population.

Inter-Services Public Relations[38][39]

The Pakistani military had prepared for the operation long before, and the government prepared for a three-front operation:[40] isolating targeted militant groups, obtaining support from the political parties and saving civilians from the backlash of the operation.[40]

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the nation stood by its army: "The decision was taken after the strategy of dialogue failed. The operation will continue until it reaches its logical conclusion. Any group that challenges Pakistan's constitution, attacks civilians, soldiers, and government installations and uses Pakistani territory to plan terrorist attacks will be targeted". Asif added that internally displaced persons would be assisted by the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments: "We will try to ensure that the displaced do not have to stay away from their homes for too long."[41]

Army troops encircled militant bases in the towns of Mirali and Miramshah. Afghan security forces were requested to seal the border on their side, officials said.[42] The operation involved the Pakistan Air Force, artillery, tanks and ground troops. According to a military statement, "On the directions of the government, armed forces of Pakistan have launched a comprehensive operation against foreign and local terrorists who are hiding in sanctuaries in North Waziristan."[42] An official with the military said that between 14,000 and 20,000 soldiers were normally stationed in North Waziristan before the operation, and he expected the offensive to require no more than a total of 30,000 troops.[6]

Timeline

15 June
The first phase of the operation began with intensified airstrikes in North Waziristan, targeting militant training facilities, hideouts and other infrastructure.[43] The Pakistani military destroyed eight militant hideouts in the previous night's airstrikes. Hideouts in Degan-Boya and Datta Khel were targeted by jet aircraft, since foreign and local insurgents linked to the Karachi airport attack were confirmed there; an ammunition dump was also destroyed. As many as 140 militants (mostly Uzbek) were reportedly killed in the strikes, including commander and airport attack mastermind Abu Abdur Rehman Almani.[37][38][44] North Waziristan was sealed by troops on its border with neighbouring agencies and FATA regions to block the movement of militants. In North Waziristan, troops cordoned off insurgent bases (including those in the towns of Mir Ali and Miranshah).[38] Logistical and administrative arrangements for IDPs were made by the Disaster Management Agency, with the establishment of registration points and IDP camps.[38] Surrender points were established for militants wishing to give up their arms.[38] Aerial surveillance of the area was conducted. Afghan security forces were requested to seal the border on their side to prevent militants from escaping across the border and initiate immediate measures to eliminate TTP militants and their hideouts in Kunar, Nuristan and elsewhere in Afghanistan.[38]
16 June
Seven fleeing militants were killed on the outskirts of Mirali overnight, with three soldiers injured in the exchange of fire.[44] In a separate incident, seven more militants were killed when they tried to flee from the cordoned-off area. Two Pakistani soldiers were reported killed in an exchange of gunfire.[44][45]Six militant hideouts in Shawal, North Waziristan were destroyed by an early-morning airstrike by two fighter jets, with 27 militants killed. There were no civilians in Shawal.[44][45][46] Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported six soldiers killed and three injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion between the Afghan border and Ghulam Khan Tehsil in North Waziristan. According to ISPR, a convoy of security forces was targeted on Bane Dar Road in Ghulam Khan (on the Pakistani-Afghan border). Forces cordoned off the area, launching a search operation.[44][45] Three insurgents were killed by Special Services Group sniper fire while planting IEDs near Miramshah.[44]
17 June
Airstrikes destroyed six hideouts in North Waziristan, killing 25 foreign and local militants. Airstrikes were also conducted in the Hasokhel area of Mir Ali.[47] At least three suspected militants were killed when they attempted to flee a cordoned-off area in Miramshah, with one soldier injured in the exchange of fire.[47][48] No operations had begun in developed areas to ensure that no militants could escape the cordon and all verified civilians were evacuated.[47] More than 40 percent of North Waziristan was cleared of militants in the first three days of the operation.[49]
19 June
Fifteen militants were reportedly killed overnight in the Zartatangi Heights, east of Miramshah, by army Cobra helicopter gunships. The area was one of the main communications centres of the insurgents.[50] In a separate incident, eight Uzbek militants were killed near Miramshah while planting IEDs on the road between Miramshah and Mir Ali.[50] The evacuation of the civilian population from Miramshah and Ghulam Khan began. Checkpoints were established in a number of locations, where IDPs received food and medicine from security forces.[50] As many as 400 Afghan families left North Waziristan for Afghanistan via Ghulam Khan.[51]
20 June
Three militant hideouts in the Qutab Khel area, on the outskirts of Miramshah, were destroyed in the early morning by army Cobra helicopter gunships with artillery and sniper assistance. Twelve militants, including some foreigners, were killed in the strikes and a large cache of arms and ammunition destroyed.[51] Militants inside cordoned-off areas attempted to flee. Six attempts were halted overnight, and three local residents without identification were arrested trying to flee from the cordon.[51] Another 24 suspects disguised as IDPs were arrested at security checkpoints in Mirali and Miramshah.[51] The civilian evacuation continued from North Waziristan towards Bannu, with 200,000 IDPs evacuated so far.[51]
21 June
A total of 30 militants were killed in early-morning airstrikes in uninhabited areas of Khyber and North Waziristan Agencies. Jet aircraft destroyed two hideouts near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Agency, killing 10 militants. These surgical strikes were in line with the security forces' strategy to take on the militants across the FATA.[52][53] Three hideouts were destroyed in Hassu Khel, North Waziristan, killing 20 militants.[52]
23 June
Eight militant hideouts near Mir Ali were destroyed by jet aircraft during the early morning, killing 15. Tunnels were spotted in the targeted areas.[54] Ten militants were killed attempting to flee from cordoned-off bases in Spinwam and Mir Ali, with two Pakistani soldiers also reportedly killed in an exchange of fire.[54] The curfew was lifted for two hours to evacuate the remaining civilians. At the Saidgai security checkpoint, 414,429 IDPs were registered to date.[54] An army medical corps field hospital was being established in Bannu for displaced persons.[54] The civilian evacuation was almost complete. About 450,000 IDPs arrived in Bannu, and were registered at the Saidgai checkpoint.[55][56]
24 June
Twenty militants were killed and 12 hideouts destroyed in early-morning air strikes in Khyber Agency.[57]Twenty-seven militants were killed in afternoon jet strikes in Mir Ali and the surrounding area, with 11 hideouts and a large weapons cache destroyed.[57] An afternoon suicide car-bomb attempt was foiled in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan. When an explosive-laden vehicle approached a checkpoint outside a civilian hospital, soldiers fired at the vehicle (which exploded 100 meters from the checkpoint. Two soldiers and one civilian were reportedly killed when the roof of a nearby building collapsed from the explosion.[57]
25 June
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets destroyed five hideouts in Mir Ali, killing 13 militants.[58] Twelve militants surrendered to Pakistani forces.[58]
26 June
The evacuation of 450,000 civilians was completed, and the operation's second phase began with a ground offensive by the Pakistani military.[43] Seven militants surrendered at the North Waziristan surrender center, bringing the total to 19.[59][60]
27 June
PAF aircraft destroyed six confirmed hideouts on the outskirts of Mir Ali in an evening raid, killing 11 militants.[59] TTP Miranshah Commander Umer was killed on the outskirts of the town by security forces that night.[59]
28 June
Militant groups were targeted during the early morning by integrated Pakistani artillery, tank and heavy-weapons fire outside Miranshah, killing seven.[59] An al-Qaeda commander, revealed by initial interrogation as an explosives, IED and suicide-belt expert, was arrested trying to flee from a surrounded base.[59] Three militants were arrested by security forces while trying to cross the Indus River near Mianwali. All river crossings were fortified to seal escape routes.[59]
29 June
Sixteen militants were killed when PAF fighter jets targeted their hideouts in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.[61][62] According to military sources, seven militant hideouts, explosives and ammunition dumps were also destroyed in the airstrikes.[61][62]
30 June
Early-morning ground operations began in and around Miramshah. Search operations were conducted by infantry and the Special Services Group, killing 15 militants. Troops discovered underground tunnels and IED-preparation factories in the cleared areas, with three soldiers reportedly injured in an exchange of fire. The civilian population had been evacuated.[10] Since the beginning of the operation 376 militants were killed and 19 surrendered, with 61 hideouts destroyed in the operation's first phase. Seventeen soldiers were reportedly killed.[10]
1 July
File:July 1, 2014-Security Forces carrying out house to house search operation in Miranshah, North Waziristan Agency.jpg
Security Forces carrying out house to house search operation in Miranshah, North Waziristan Agency
According to ISPR, during ground operations in Miranshah a land-mine factory was discovered and 225 cylinders, 700 pipes filled with explosive materials and 150 unfinished land mines were recovered.[63] Two Pakistani soldiers were killed and a third reportedly injured when militants ambushed a military vehicle in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.[64][65][66]
2 July
File:July 2, 2014 artillery targeting hideouts Miranshah.jpg
Artillery targeting hideouts in Miranshah
Ten militants were killed when Pakistani helicopters shelled hideouts in the Khar Warsak region, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north of Miramshah, with three hideouts destroyed in the airstrikes.[67]
3 July
The bodies of seven militants were recovered in the Darpa Khel area of Mir Ali. A security official reportedly said, "Bodies were of suspected militants who were gunned down by security forces in Mir Ali tehsil of the agency", adding that the forces had advanced from Mir Ali and Miramshah Bazaar towards the outskirts of the agency after destroying three hideouts in Mir Ali (one of which held foreign militants).[68]
4 July
Pakistani soldier Niak Fiaz Mohammad was killed by an IED explosion during a house-to-house search operation in North Waziristan. Mohammed's funeral was held in Bannu before the soldier's body was transported to his hometown, Mansehra. ISPR director-general Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said, "We salute the courage and bravery of Niak Fiaz Shaheed."[69] A Pakistani soldier from Azad Kashmir was killed in the Jord region of North Waziristan. The soldier, Sadheer Ismail from Malsi Ghari Dupatta, was buried in his family cemetery. Pakistan Army personnel attended Ismail's funeral, where friends praised his determination and resolve.[70]
5 July
Airstrikes targeted Miramshah and the village of Boya, destroying five militant hideouts, caves and an ammunition cache. The early-morning strikes killed 20 militants, most of whom were reportedly Uzbeks.[71] A Pakistani soldier was killed during the ground offensive that morning when an IED exploded.[71]
6 July
Hundreds of Taliban fighters reportedly cut their hair and beards to flee the operation. According to IDPs, the Taliban disguised themselves in the weeks before the Pakistan Army operation. Although the militants advocated sharia in Pakistan and were contemptuous of Western culture, refugees said that in North Waziristan the militants enjoyed imported products.[7][72]
7 July
Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited North Waziristan. Sharif was received by Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani, the Peshawar corps commander, and briefed by the general officer commanding for the operation. He commended the troops for their determination, commitment and resolve, praising the progress achieved since the beginning of the operation.[73]
8 July
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in an interview with Radio Pakistan that 400 militants and 20 Pakistani soldiers had been killed so far in the operation. Although he declined to provide a time frame for the operation's end, he expressed a resolve to finish as early as possible.[74] Airstrikes by the PAF killed 13 militants (including foreigners) in the Digaan area of North Waziristan, according to an ISPR press release. Seven militant hideouts were also destroyed.[75][76]
9 July
File:July 9, 2014-Seized weapons at an empty bazaar during a military operation against Taliban militants in Miranshah in North Waziristan, Pakistan.jpg
Seized weapons at an empty bazaar during a military operation against Taliban militants in Miranshah in North Waziristan
Pakistani airstrikes targeted three hideouts, killing 11 militants in Shawal.[77] Ground operations continued in Miramshah, which was 80-percent cleared.[77]
10 July
The Pakistani army invited local and international media to Miramshah to observe the militant facilities. Flags, weapons and explosive materials were shown. ISPR Director Major General Asim Bajwa and Operation Commander Major General Zafar Khan briefed the media on the operation's progress. They said that as many as 400 terrorists were killed and another 130 injured to date. Eleven IED factories were uncovered, and over 2,000 IEDs confiscated. Bajwa said that underground tunnels built by the militants (one a kilometer long) had also been discovered: "This (Miranshah) was one of their major base, we have dislodged them from here and now they are on the run, We have also discovered their command and control centre, which would definitely affect their capabilities."[78]
11 July
Injured Taliban commander Adnan Rashid, al-Qaeda commander Mufti Zubair Marwat and Marwat's two guards were captured by Pakistani security forces in the Shakai Valley of South Waziristan when they tried to escape from cordoned-off North Waziristan, and were moved to an undisclosed location by army helicopter. Marwat was reportedly the brother of Mufti Sajjad Marwat, an al-Qaeda spokesman for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rashid was planning to flee to Afghanistan.[79] The arrest was confirmed by the TTP.[80]
12 July
Thirteen militants, primarily foreign, were killed in an early-morning PAF airstrike after firing rockets at a security checkpoint in Mir Ali; seven hideouts and an ammunition cache were also destroyed.[9][81] The connection of the cleared area in Miramshah and the Miramshah-Dattakhel road continued. In Khar Warsak and Zartangi, security forces discovered six motorcycle IEDs, two vehicle IEDs, two 12.7 mm guns, one 14.5 mm gun, three vehicles and eleven explosive belts during the previous 24 hours. Two explosive-laden vehicles were also destroyed in airstrikes at Degan.[9] Three militants, including one Uzbek, were arrested in Boya. Two suicide bombers were identified and chased, but they blew themselves up when encircled by security forces near the town.[9] Eighteen militants were killed in PAF airstrikes in the Mosaki area, 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of Miramshah, and artillery shelling in the Kharkamar area, 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Miramshah. "Six terrorist hideouts and a huge ammunition cache were destroyed and at least 13 militants, mostly Uzbek, were killed in the Saturday morning strikes, five militants were killed and two militant hideouts were destroyed by artillery fire in the Kharkamar area on Saturday night", a security official said.[82]
13 July
According to ISPR, five hideouts in Mir Ali were targeted by the military and several militants were killed.[15]
14 July
After Miramshah was under control, a ground offensive was launched in Mirali (second-largest town in North Waziristan) and the nearby Boya area.[83] Pakistani troops killed six militants (two of them suicide bombers), including Taliban commander Matiullah.[83]
15 July
In a media briefing, ISPR director general Major General Asim Bajwa said that 451 militants were dead and 88 hideouts[84] destroyed. According to Bajwa, 26 soldiers[83] were killed in the operation to date. According to ISPR, five Pakistani soldiers were killed in exchanges of fire in and around Mirali (including an officer, Captain Akash Rabbani). Two soldiers were injured, and 11 insurgents were killed.[85]
16 July
Thirty-five militants were killed in airstrikes in the Shawal area. According to an ISPR press release, "Today, early morning at least 35 fleeing terrorists were killed through aerial strikes in Shawal valley".[86][87] The Mir Ali ground offensive following the clearance of Miranshah continued, with airstrikes expected.[86]
18 July
House-to-house searches were conducted in areas of Mir Ali. Four militants were killed in an exchange of fire and 12 IEDs, an IED factory and caches of ammunition and foreign currency were seized.[88]
19 July
File:July 19 Corps Commander Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani during his visit to North Waziristan agency have a look at recovered weapons,jpg.jpg
Corps Commander Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani during his visit to North Waziristan agency have a look at recovered weapons
"The command and control system of terrorists was destroyed in North Waziristan," said Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. "There is no place for terrorism in a democratic country."[89] The villages of Boya and Degan were cleared by Pakistani military,[88] and the ground offensive continued in areas of Mirali.[88] Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani visited Mirali, Boya and Degan, meeting with the troops, and relief for IDPs was underway.[88]
20 July
Twenty-eight militants were killed in airstrikes targeting six hideouts in the Shawal area of North Waziristan.[90]
23 July
File:July 23 Clearance of Mirali in North Wazirastan Agency.jpg
Clearance of Mirali in North Wazirastan Agency
Twenty militants, including foreigners, were killed by Pakistani airstrikes which destroying four hideouts in the Shawal tehsil of North Waziristan.[91] The ground operation in Mir Ali continued, with an ammunition factory and foreign currency seized from Mir Ali Bazaar.[91] According to ISPR, a disposal operation of mines and explosive materials was underway in Miramshah with six IED factories cleared by army engineers to date.[91]
24 July
Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in an evening IED explosion near Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan (near the Pakistani-Afghan border).[92]
26 July
During the Mir Ali ground offensive, eight militants were killed and five hideouts destroyed.[93]
27 July
Pakistani security forces cleared 70 percent of Mir Ali and adjacent areas.[94]
29 July
The Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif celebrated the Eid al-Fitr with army soldiers and IDPs in Baka Khel and Bannu.[95]
30 July
According to the official sources, a Pakistan Army check post was attacked by Afghan militants in Lower Dir. The cross-border attack involved 70-80 militants. In retaliation, at least seven militants were killed and nine others were injured.[96]
2 August
During the ground operation in Mirali, three militats were killed in fire-exchange. An ammunition dump was also seized.[97]
4 August
During ground offensive in in Datta Khel area, Seven Uzbek militants were killed in fire-exchange, two soldiers identified as Subedar Mashkoor and Lans Naik Zaheer were also killed. Data Khel was cleared and the ground operation continued in Mirali and other areas.[98][99]
5 August
Airstrikes on 6 militant hideouts were conducted by the Pakistani military, killing at least 30 militants. According to ISPR, the raids were carried out in the Datta khel, Marshikhel and Kamsham areas. Mirali was also cleared and the ground operation in Mirali came to an end.[100]
9 August
The Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during National Security Conference in Islamabad said: "We pay tribute to the sacrifices of our armed forces in the war against terrorism and express solidarity with their families." Sharif added that the "intensity of the blowback of the military operation would be low."[101]
14 August
A Pakistani security forces camp in Miramshah was targeted with rockets by unknown militants. No loss of life occurred.[102]
19 August
48 militants were killed in air strikes and shelling by gunship helicopters of the Pakistani military, destroying seven militant hideouts and several vehicles in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency.[103]
30 August
32 militants were killed and three hideouts destroyed by army gunship helicopters in the remote areas of North Waziristan. According to ISPR, 23 explosive laden vehicles and four ammunition dumps were also destroyed.[104]
3 September
According to ISPR, 910 militants had been killed so far in the operation. Eighty-two soldiers had also been killed (42 were killed in North Waziristan Agency) while 269 others have been injured, added the ISPR statement. The Pakistan Armed Forces had cleared Miramshah, Mirali, Datta Khel, Degan, Boya areas of North Waziristan which were considered strongholds of terrorists.[105]
8 September
Ten militants were killed and five vehicles were destroyed by Pakistani gunship helicopters in Boya Degan, according to ISPR.[106]
9 September
A Pakistani soldier and six militants were killed in a counter-attack during a clearance operation near Datta Khel. A civilian logistic staff member was also killed while providing supplies to the forces.[107]
10 September
35 militants were killed when Pakistan bombed three militant hideouts in Datta Khel. Another 30 militants were killed when Pakistani fighter planes bombed two militant hideouts in Shawal.[108]
12 September
DG ISPR Asim Bajwa stated that the army is ready to go into remote areas to take down militants, if required. He added that the 10 militants behind the attack on Malala Yousafzai that took place on October 12, 2012 had been arrested, and those behind attack on Ziarat residency had also been arrested. He revealed that over 1,000 militants had been killed in North Waziristan including 45 hardcore militants, while 134 hardcore militants had also been arrested.[109]
14 September
Three Frontier Corps personnel were killed when a group of militants launched a rocket attack on a mountain fort in Spinwam area of North Waziristan near Afghan border.[110]

American drone strikes

Main article: List of drone attacks in Pakistan

Drone strikes, which were halted for six months at the request of the Pakistani government, resumed for the operation. The following drone strikes took place during the operation:[11]

  • 11 June – Two strikes in Miramshah killed 16 suspected militants and injured several others. These were the first drone strikes of 2014; the previous strike occurred on 25 December 2013 in the Qutab Khel area of Miramshah, killing four suspected militants.[11]
  • 18 June – At least six militants were killed in Miramshah.[11]
  • 10 July – A strike in the Datta Khel area killed seven militants and injured three others.[11]
  • 16 July - Four missiles were fired in a strike in the tehsil of Datta Khel, two on a house and two on a vehicle, killing twenty militants and injuring five.[11]
  • 19 July - Eleven militants, including two commanders, were killed in the tehsil of Madakhel, Data Khel, North Waziristan. Most of the militants belonged to the Punjabi faction of the Taliban.[12]
  • 6 August - A strike in Datta Khel killed six militants and injured two others.[13]

Management of displaced civilians

As a result of the operation, 929,859 displaced civilians (from 80,302 families) were registered by Pakistani authorities as of 14 July.[15] Financial support, relief goods and food packages were being distributed[111][112] and 59 donation points were established across Pakistan by the army.[88]

Foreign assistance

On 10 July, the Foreign Office of Pakistan said that the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons was an internal matter and reiterated that Pakistan had not requested international assistance. "We have very clear instructions from the prime minister [to not seek external assistance], Pakistan has neither made nor intends to make a request for international assistance. It has been made very clear that all expenditure related to temporarily displaced Pakistanis will be met from our own resources", Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.[113]

  •  United States – The United States allocated $31 million for IDPs[111] and an additional $9.3 million for health, hygiene, water and sanitation for IDPs and livestock.[114]
  •  United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates government granted $20.5 million in IDP humanitarian aid.[111]

Reaction

Domestic

Social media

The decision by the Pakistani military to launch a comprehensive operation was widely supported, with journalists, opinion-makers, politicians and other social-media users commending the operation.[115]

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf

PTI chairman Imran Khan endorsed the military operation in North Waziristan as it became clear that the Taliban were not seriously negotiating.[116] A week before, reiterating his party's stance on peace talks with militants, Imran said that an offensive in North Waziristan would unite militant forces against the Pakistani state. "Conducting such a military operation when most of the groups in NWA want talks is suicidal," Imran said in a statement, adding that most groups in North Waziristan desired peace talks with the government.[117] The PTI position changed as it became clear that negotiations were fruitless.[117]

Jamat-e-Islami

Jamat-e-Islami (JI), one of Pakistan's leading religious parties, continued to oppose any operation in North Waziristan. JI leader Siraj-ul-Haq urged the government to keep the option of negotiations with the Taliban.[118] He warned that a military operation in North Waziristan would trigger a massive human tragedy, saying that it was the duty of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to consider the views of the nation and its leadership (inside and outside Parliament) before making a crucial decision affecting national security.[119]

Muttahida Qaumi Movement

According to Muttahida Qaumi Movement senator Babar Khan Ghauri, "This is a commendable decision by the government. We have been repeatedly telling the current government that instead of engaging the terrorists in dialogue, government should act against these elements. Karachi has a number of terrorists and it might suffer from a blow back; this should be tackled so Karachi does not have to suffer on account of this."[41] MQM head Altaf Hussain said, "I welcome this operation and I am glad that government is supporting the armed forces, those who have not backed the operation must realize that it is a matter of national security. I appeal to them to come on same page by setting aside their political compulsions." he said.[120][121]

Awami National Party

Awami National Party member Zahid Khan said, "We also held a dialogue previously (during our government) but that did not produce effective results. We wanted peace and we were okay if that came through dialogue but unfortunately that could not happen. This time, knowing from our experience, we had cautioned the government that [the] dialogue approach would not work. Government should have taken the parliament into confidence before launching the operation but it didn't."[41]

Local tribesmen

North Waziristan tribal elders assured their support for Operation Zarb-e-Azb, according to a statement released by ISPR director-general Major General Asim Bajwa. "Many tribal elders from around Miranshah, Mir Ali, Datta Khel assure support to army operation," Bajwa tweeted. "The tribesmen have assured the army that they would not let the militant to return to the area." [122]

Sunni Ulema Board

On 22 June 2014, more than 100 Islamic scholars issued a joint fatwa in support of the operation, calling it a jihad: "Crushing of the attempts to disrupt peaceful atmosphere in a Muslim state is jihad".[123]

International

  •  Afghanistan – Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Janan Mosazai said that his government would provide "every possible assistance" to defeat the militants in the operation.[124] Although a formal request was made to Afghanistan for co-operation with Zarb-e-Azb (primarily sealing the border), according to a Pakistani news source Pakistan viewed Afghanistan's cooperation with suspicion and felt that Hamid Karzai would try to subvert the Pakistani operation.[125]
  •  United Arab Emirates – Interior minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that his government would co-operate with Pakistan in the war against the extremists.[126]
  •  United Nations – In a statement, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that as of 23 June more than 450,000 people were internally displaced from the war-torn region.[55] Other UN agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, agreed to provide tents and other facilities to the camps.[127] The World Health Organization provided medicines and vaccines to the IDPs to avert a polio outbreak.[128]
  •  United States – The US supported military operations against Taliban militants, a spokesman from the US Embassy in Pakistan said on 16 June, and the US supported every Pakistani step taken for the establishment of peace.[129] The United States had pressured Pakistan for a military operation in North Waziristan for years, and the US Congress linked military assistance to Pakistan for the next fiscal year with military operations in North Waziristan in June 2014.[130] Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said that the Pentagon was unaware of Pakistan's decision to launch a new offensive in North Waziristan: "The Pakistan military and the government understand the threat, and they continue to go after that threat."[6][131]
  •  China – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that terrorism was a problem common to China and Pakistan, since militants were the enemy of both countries, adding that China fully supported the operation.[132]

The novel "The Scriptwriter" written by Adeerus Ghayan has a socio-politico-military plot of which the Operation Zarb-e-Azb is an integral part.[133]


References

Notes

  1. ^ These figures can also be obtained by adding up the figures in the timeline section.

Citations

  1. ^ Khan, Tahir. "Anti-terrorism cooperation: Islamabad asks Kabul to extradite Fazlullah". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  2. ^ http://nation.com.pk/national/14-Oct-2014/top-five-ttp-commanders-join-isis
  3. ^ http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-33470-A-setback-for-Fazlullah-Mullah-Omar-and-Zawahiri
  4. ^ "Who are the Uzbeks launching terror strikes in Pakistan". The News International. 15 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  5. ^ Walsh, Declan (16 June 2014). "In Drive Against Militants, Pakistani Airstrikes Hit Strongholds". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Shah, Saeed (15 June 2014). "Pakistan Operation Targets Waziristan Militants". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Taliban cut hair and beards to flee army assault". Dawn. AFP. 6 July 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Operation Zarb-e-Azb updates archive". ISPR. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d "ISPR Press Release of 12 June". ISPR. 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  10. ^ a b c "ISPR Press releases of 30 June". ISPR. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Drone strike in North Waziristan kills 20". The Express Tribune. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Unending campaign: Drone strike kills 11 suspected militants in North Waziristan". The Express Tribune. 19 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Drone strike kills 6 in North Waziristan". The Express Tribune. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  14. ^ Gul, Pazir (16 June 2014). "Seven killed in clash between militant groups". Dawn. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  15. ^ a b c "Air raids flatten 5 militant hideouts". The Express Tribune. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  16. ^ "Zarb-e-Azb operation: 120 suspected militants killed in N Waziristan". Dawn. 15 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  17. ^ "Pakistan Launches Offensive Against Militants Near Afghan Border". Huffington Post. Associated Press. 15 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  18. ^ "Fatwa declares Zarb-i-Azb a jihad – Pakistan". Pakistan: Dawn. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  19. ^ "Pak Army's Zarb-e-Azb is 'accurate Jihad': Fatwa". Dunya News. 22 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  20. ^ "Zarb-i-Azb: Fatwa declares Pak's military operation 'a jihad'". Business Standard. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  21. ^ Desk, Web (10 June 2014). "Operation Zarb-e-Azb updates". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  22. ^ "Negotiations end, Pak Army formally launches operation Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists; Dunya News". Dunyanews.tv. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  23. ^ a b c Shahzeb Jillani (6 February 2014). "Pakistan enters peace talks with Taliban". BBC. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  24. ^ a b "First day of Pakistan Taliban peace talks concluded". BBC. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  25. ^ "Pakistani Taliban announce month-long ceasefire – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  26. ^ Crilly, Rob (17 February 2014). "Peace talks collapse as Taliban execute 23 Pakistani soldiers". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  27. ^ Golovnina, Maria (17 February 2014). "Peace talks between Pakistan and Taliban collapse after killings". Maria Golovnina and Amjad Ali. Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  28. ^ "TTP ends ceasefire, says talks option open – Newspaper". Dawn. Pakistan. 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  29. ^ "Taliban infighting impedes Pakistan peace talks – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  30. ^ a b "Heavy fighting reported at Karachi airport". Al Jazeera. 8 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  31. ^ Jon Boone in Islamabad. "Pakistani Taliban claim Karachi attack and leave peace talks in crisis". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  32. ^ Shah, Saeed (9 June 2014). "Pakistan Weighs Strike Against Taliban Over Airport Attack". The Wall Street Journal. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ a b Desk, Web. "Aerial bombing in Tirah valley kills 25 militants". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  34. ^ "Successive drone strikes leave at least 16 dead in N Waziristan – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  35. ^ "Drone targeted Haqqani network commander, Afghan Taliban: sources – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  36. ^ "Mostly Uzbeks killed in overnight N Waziristan bombing: army – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  37. ^ a b "Karachi airport attack mastermind killed in N Waziristan: Sources – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  38. ^ a b c d e f Press Releases of 15 June, ISPR, 15 June 2014, archived from the original on 20 June 2014, retrieved 20 June 2014
  39. ^ Omer Farooq Khan. "Pak military launches onslaught against Taliban". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  40. ^ a b آصف فاروقی بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام، اسلام آباد (1 January 1970). "پاکستان – BBC Urdu – 'حکومت نے آپریشن کے لیے 3 محاذوں پر تیاری کی'". BBC. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  41. ^ a b c "Supporters and critics weigh in on operation – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  42. ^ a b "Pakistan army launches 'major offensive' in North Waziristan". BBC. 15 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  43. ^ a b "Operation Zarb-e-Azb: Ground offensive initiates". Pakistan Today. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  44. ^ a b c d e f Press Releases of 16 June, ISPR, 16 June 2014, archived from the original on 20 June 2014, retrieved 20 June 2014
  45. ^ a b c "NWA operation: Seven more militants killed; toll rises to 187 – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  46. ^ "North Waziristan: 12 militants killed in air strikes". Dunyanews.tv. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  47. ^ a b c Press Release No PR131/2014-ISPR, ISPR, 17 June 2014, archived from the original on 17 June 2014, retrieved 17 June 2014
  48. ^ "Fresh blitz kills 28 more militants". The Express Tribune. 18 June 2014. Archived from the original on 18 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  49. ^ "دہشت گردوں سے شمالی وزیرستان کے40 فیصد سے زائد علاقے کو خالی کرالیا گیا". Amir Khan. Express News. 18 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  50. ^ a b c Press Release No PR135/2014-ISPR, ISPR, 19 June 2014, archived from the original on 20 June 2014, retrieved 19 June 2014
  51. ^ a b c d e Press Releases of 20 June, ISPR, 20 June 2014, archived from the original on 20 June 2014, retrieved 20 June 2014
  52. ^ a b Press Releases of 21 June, ISPR, 21 June 2014, archived from the original on 21 June 2014, retrieved 21 June 2014
  53. ^ "30 more terrorists killed in NWA, Khyber Agency strikes". Daily Times. 22 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  54. ^ a b c d Press Releases of 23 June, ISPR, 23 June 2014, archived from the original on 24 June 2014, retrieved 23 June 2014
  55. ^ a b "Over 450,000 people displaced in northwestern Pakistan". Xinhua News Agency. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  56. ^ "Operation Zarb-e-Azb updates: Evacuation of IDPs from N Waziristan comes to an end". affairs.com.pk. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  57. ^ a b c Press Releases of 24 June, ISPR, 24 June 2014, archived from the original on 24 June 2014, retrieved 24 June 2014
  58. ^ a b Press Releases of 25 June, ISPR, 25 June 2014, archived from the original on 28 June 2014, retrieved 25 June 2014
  59. ^ a b c d e f "ISPR Press Releases of 28 June". ISPR. 28 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  60. ^ "Zarb-e-Azb: 327 militants killed so far, tells DG ISPR". ARY News. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  61. ^ a b "Jets strafe militant hideouts; 16 killed". 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  62. ^ a b "Zarb-e-Azb: 16 more terrorists eliminated, 7 hideouts smashed". 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  63. ^ "Haqqani fighters won't be spared either". Express Tribune. 2 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  64. ^ "Pakistan reiterates NWA offensive will hit Haqqani network". DAWN. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  65. ^ "Militant ambush in NWA kills two security personnel". 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  66. ^ "Two soldiers killed in NWA ambush". The News. 2 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  67. ^ "Helicopters destroy 3 militant hideouts near Miramshah, kill 10 terrorists". 2 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  68. ^ "Bodies of seven suspected militants recovered in North Waziristan". The Express Tribune. 3 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  69. ^ "NWA blast leaves soldier dead". The Nation. 5 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  70. ^ "In the line of duty: AJK soldier laid to rest". The Express Tribune. 7 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  71. ^ a b "ISPR Press releases of 5 July". ISPR. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  72. ^ "Taliban cut hair and beards to flee Pakistan Army assault". Zee News. 6 July 2014. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  73. ^ "ISPR Press Releases of 7 July". ISPR. 7 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  74. ^ "Operation Zarb-e-Azb: 400 militants killed so far, says Khawaja Asif". The Express Tribune. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  75. ^ "13 more terrorists killed in Operation Zarb-e-Azb". The News. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  76. ^ "Another 13 Militants Killed In North Waziristan, Says ISPR". Newsweek Pakistan. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  77. ^ a b "Zarb-e-Azb: 80 percent of Miranshah cleared; 11 more killed in jet bombing". Daily Times. 10 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  78. ^ "Operation Zarb-e-Azb: Terrorists are on the run, says Bajwa". The Express Tribune. 10 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  79. ^ "Key TTP commander Adnan Rashid arrested in S Waziristan: sources". Dawn (newspaper). 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  80. ^ "TTP confirm arrest of key commander Adnan Rashid". The Nation. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  81. ^ "13 militants killed in fresh air strikes in Mirali". The Express Tribune. 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  82. ^ "Jets, artillery kill 18 in anti-militant offensive". The Express Tribune. 13 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  83. ^ a b c "Troops gain control of Miramshah, enter Mirali". Dawn. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  84. ^ "Five soldiers killed as forces move into Mirali". Pakistan Today. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  85. ^ "Press Releases of 15 July". ISPR. 15 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  86. ^ a b "Nawaz, army chief discuss progress of N Waziristan operation". Dawn (newspaper). 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  87. ^ "Press Releases of 16 July". ISPR. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  88. ^ a b c d e "Press Releases of 19 July". ISPR. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  89. ^ "Command and control system of terrorists destroyed in NW: Khawaja Asif". The Express Tribune. 19 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  90. ^ "Zarb-e-Azb: 28 terrorists killed in Shawal air strikes". The News. 20 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  91. ^ a b c "Twenty terrorists killed in air strikes". Radio Pakistan. 23 July 2014. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  92. ^ "Two soldiers killed in IED blast on Pakistan-Afghanistan border". The Express Tribune. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  93. ^ "Zarb-e-Azb: Eight militants killed and five hideouts destroyed". The Nation. 26 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  94. ^ "Zarb-i-Azb: Army claims 70pc area of Mirali cleared in NWA". Dawn (newspaper). 27 July 2014. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  95. ^ "Army chief celebrates Eid with troops, IDPs". Dawn (newspaper). 1 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  96. ^ "Cross-border attack: 7 militants killed as Pak army check post targeted in Lower Dir". The Express Tribune. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  97. ^ "Three terrorists killed in operation in Mir Ali". Radio Pakistan. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  98. ^ "Operation Zarb-e-Azb continues, 2 soldiers and 7 Uzbek militants killed in clash". The Asian Time. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  99. ^ "Seven Uzbek militants and two soldiers killed in FATA". South Asia Terrorism Portal. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  100. ^ "Jets flatten six hideouts, killing 30 terrorists". The Express Tribune. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  101. ^ "Nawaz expresses confidence over PTI dialogue during National Security Conference". The Express Tribune. 9 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  102. ^ "Rockets fired into security forces camp in Miramshah". The Express Tribune. 14 August 2014. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  103. ^ "48 suspected militants killed in fresh NWA, Khyber airstrikes". Zahir Shah Sherazi. Dawn. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  104. ^ "32 killed as army target militants in North Waziristan". Daily Times. 30 August 2014. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  105. ^ "910 militants killed since start of Operation Zarb-e-Azb: ISPR". The Express Tribune. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  106. ^ "Airstrikes in North Waziristan kill 10 suspected militants". The Frontier Post. 8 September 2014. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  107. ^ "Six militants, soldier killed in Pak clashes". Indian Express. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  108. ^ "At Least 65 Militants Killed in Airstrikes, Pakistan Says". The New York Times. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  109. ^ "Malala Yousafzai's attackers arrested: DG ISPR". The Express Tribune. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  110. ^ "Militant attack on army fort kills three FC men in North Waziristan". The Express Tribune. September 14. Retrieved October 20, 2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  111. ^ a b c "US, UAE provide $51m for N Waziristan IDPs". The Express Tribune. 6 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  112. ^ "0.57m IDPs registered, Rs 329.5m distributed so far, Nawaz informed". Pakistan Tribune. 7 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  113. ^ "PM has given clear instructions not to seek external assistance: FO". The Express Tribune. 10 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  114. ^ Haider, Mateen (22 July 2014). "Zarb-i-Azb: US announce $9.3 million more in IDPs aid". Dawn. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  115. ^ "Operation 'Zarb-e-Azb' gets a 'thumbs up' on social media – Pakistan". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  116. ^ "Groundswell of support: PTI endorses operation to flush out Waziristan militants". The Express Tribune. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  117. ^ a b "PTI endorses Zarb-e-Azb operation - Pakistan". Dawn (newspaper). 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  118. ^ "Siraj-ul-Haq urges govt to keep doors open for peace talks". Khyber News. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  119. ^ "Operation to cause colossal human tragedy, claims JI". The News. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  120. ^ "Better late than never!". Staff report. Pakistan Today. 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  121. ^ "Massive political support for military operation". The News. 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  122. ^ "Tribal elders of North Waziristan assure support to Zarb-e-Azb: ISPR". Pakistan Today. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  123. ^ "Ulema declare operation Zarb-e-Azb as jihad". Pak Tribune. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  124. ^ "Afghanistan assures Pakistan of full support in NWA operation". Daily Times Pakistan. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  125. ^ "Karzai's obsessive-compulsive disorder". Pakistan Today. 25 June 2014. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  126. ^ "UAE Extends Support to Pakistan against Militants | News Pakistan". Newspakistan.pk. 27 February 2012. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  127. ^ APP. "UAE announces $2.5m for IDPs in N Waziristan – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  128. ^ "Polio may spread in wake of North Waziristan operation: UN – Pakistan". Dawn. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  129. ^ "US supports operation 'Zarb-e-Azb' against Taliban". The News International. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  130. ^ "US pressure for operation in Waziristan mounts". The News International. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  131. ^ "US not taken into confidence over North Waziristan operation". The News International. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  132. ^ "China supports military operation". Dawn (newspaper). 10 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  133. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scriptwriter-Adeerus-Ghayan-ebook/dp/B00NDOL6SU/
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Zarb-e-Azb&oldid=630402086"