Operation Zarb-e-Azb: 13 militants killed in military air raids
ISLAMABAD:
The military claimed on Wednesday that 13 suspected terrorists were killed in air strikes in North Waziristan Agency on Wednesday.
The air raids were carried out in the Data Khel area of the restive tribal region, which was considered a stronghold of local and foreign militant outfits before June, last year, said the military’s media wing, the ISPR. At least five terrorists’ hideouts were also destroyed in the blitz. The army claimed that it has cleared majority of the troubled agency of terrorists. However, there are still some pockets in the area which the security forces are now trying to clear.
Meanwhile, a contingent of security officials was on a routine patrol when their vehicle hit a landmine in the Spin Wam area of North Waziristan. In the ensuing explosion, Havaldar Iqbal died on the spot while FC official Hayat was injured.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2015.
Operation
Zarb-e-Azb
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
Ambox current
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This article is
outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly
available information. (April 2015)
Operation
Zarb-e-Azb
Part of the War
in North-West Pakistan and
the Global War on
Terrorism
Pakistan NWFP
FATA NORTH WAZIRISTAN.svg
– North
Waziristan– FATA– Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Date 15 June
2014–present
(11 months and 6
days)
Location Pakistan
Federally Administered
Tribal Areas
North Waziristan
32°57′45.31″N
70°7′32.64″ECoordinates: 32°57′45.31″N 70°7′32.64″E
Status
Ongoing
90% of North
Waziristan cleared (as of November 2014)[1]
Belligerents
Pakistan Islamic
Republic of Pakistan
Pakistan Army
Pakistan Air
Force
Pakistan Navy[2]
Special Forces
SSG
SSGN
SSW
Pakistan Marines
Elite Police
Paramilitary
forces
Pakistan Rangers
Local Peace
Committee
Supported by:
United
States of America
Flag of the
United States Central Intelligence Agency.svg CIA[3][4]
Insurgent
groups
Tehrik-i-Taliban
Pakistan[5][6][7]
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
East
Turkestan Islamic Movement
al-Qaeda
Haqqani
network[8]
Cross-border
attacking militants[9][10][11][12][13]
Formerly:
Islamic
Movement of Uzbekistan (Until 13 March 2015)[14]
Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant[15]
Khorasan province
logo.jpeg Wilayat Khorasan
Jundallah[16]
Tehreek-e-Khilafat[15]
Islamic Movement
of Uzbekistan[14]
Formerly:
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar[15]
(RejoinedTTP on 12 March 2015)[17]
Commanders and
leaders
Pakistan
Mamnoon Hussain
(President)
Nawaz Sharif
(Prime Minister)
Rashad Mahmood
(Chairman joint
chiefs)
Raheel Sharif
(Chief of Army
Staff)
Muhammad Zaka[18]
(Chief of Naval
Staff)
Tahir Rafique
(Chief of Air
Staff)
Commander of
Operation Zarb-e-Azb
Major-General
Zafar Khan[19]
Insurgent
groupsMaulana Fazlullah
Sheikh Khalid
Haqqani
Sheharyar Mehsud
Adnan Rashid
Usman Ghazi
(Until 13 March 2015)[20][14]
Adnan
el-Shukrijumah †
Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Leader of ISIL)
Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant Abu Alaa Afri †
(Deputy Leader of
ISIL)[21][22]
Khorasan province
logo.jpeg Hafiz Saeed Khan †[23] (ISIL Emir of Afghanistan and Pakistan)
Khorasan province
logo.jpeg Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost (Top Wilayat Khorasan commander)[24][25]
Khorasan province
logo.jpeg Usman Ghazi[26][14]
Strength
Pakistan
20,000[27]–30,000[28]
United States
Predator/Reaper
Operators
Several thousand Several
thousand
Casualties and
losses
308+
killed[29][30]
In Pakistani
offensive:
3,531 killed (as
of 10 May 2015)[30][29]
231+ arrested[1]
In American drone
strikes:
151+ killed (as
of 12 April 2015) 4+
killed[23]
2 civilians
killed, 1 injured[31][32]
140 civilians (mostly
children) killed in TTP retaliation
929,859 IDPs
registered (as of 14 July 2014)[33]
[show]vte
War in North-West
Pakistan
Operation
Zarb-e-Azb (Urdu: آپریشن ضربِ عضب ALA-LC: Āpres̱ẖan Ẓarb-i ʿAẓb pronounced
[ɑːpreːʃən zərb-e əzb]) is a joint military offensive being conducted by
Pakistan Armed Forces against various militant groups, including the
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jundallah, al-Qaeda, the
East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)
and the Haqqani network.[8] 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.[34][35] Part of the ongoing
war in North-West Pakistan, up to 30,000 Pakistani soldiers are involved in
Zarb-e-Azb, described as a "comprehensive operation" to flush out all
foreign and local militants hiding in North Waziristan.[36] The operation has
received widespread support from the Pakistani political, defence and civilian
sectors.
Etymologies[edit]
Zarb-e-Azb (Urdu:
ضربِ عضب ALA-LC: Ẓarb-i ʿAẓb pronounced [zərb-e əzb]) means "sharp and
cutting strike".[37]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.[38]
Background[edit]
Peace
negotiations[edit]
Peace
negotiations with the Taliban were announced by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif after his election,[39] 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.[40] The Taliban did not name
representatives from their ranks, instead nominating pro-Taliban religious
figures to present their views.[39] 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.[39] A month-long ceasefire was reached between the government
and the Taliban on 1 March 2014.[41]
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.[40]
Failure[edit]
Negotiations
collapsed after the execution of 23 Pakistani Frontier Corps soldiers by the
Taliban on 17 February 2014.[42][43] The soldiers had been held by the
insurgents since 2010, and on 17 April 2014 the TTP formally ended the
ceasefire.[44] 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.[45] 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).[46][47] A Pakistani security official said, "The army is ready
for an operation. It now all depends on the government to make a
decision."[48]
Jinnah Airport
attack[edit]
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 inKarachi, killing 28 people including
security personnel and wounding at least 18.[46]
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.[49] Two drone attacks on 12 June
killed Uzbek, Afghan and local militants.[50][51] 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).[52][53] The intensified aerial strikes in
the wake of the attack were an extension of operations against militants
conducted over the last few months.[49]
Preparations[edit]
“ 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[54][55]
The Pakistani
military had prepared for the operation long before, and the government
prepared for a three-front operation:[56] isolating targeted militant groups,
obtaining support from the political parties and saving civilians from the
backlash of the operation.[56]
Defence Minister
Khawaja Asif said that the nation stood by its military: "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
andKhyber Pakhtunkhwa governments: "We will try to ensure that the
displaced do not have to stay away from their homes for too long."[57]
The combat troops
encircled militant bases in the towns of Mirali and Miranshah. Pakistani
officials said that the Afghan's National Security Forces (ANSF) were requested
to seal the border on their side so that militants do not escape.[58] The
operation involved the Air Force, Navy 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."[58] 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.[28]
Timeline[edit]
2014[edit]
June 2014[edit]
15 June 2014
The first phase
of the operation began with intensified airstrikes in North Waziristan,
targeting militant training facilities, hideouts, and other infrastructure.[59]
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.[53][54][60]
North Waziristan was sealed by troops on its border with neighbouringagencies
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).[54] Logistical and administrative arrangements for IDPs were
made by the Disaster Management Agency, with the establishment of registration
points and IDP camps.[54] Surrender points were established for militants
wishing to give up their arms.[54] 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.[54]
16 June 2014
Seven fleeing
militants were killed on the outskirts of Mirali overnight, with three soldiers
injured in the exchange of fire.[60] 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.[60][61] 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.[60][61][62] 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.[60][61] Three insurgents were killed by
Special Services Group sniper fire while planting IEDs near Miramshah.[60]
17 June 2014
Airstrikes
destroyed six hideouts in North Waziristan, killing 25 foreign and local
militants. Airstrikes were also conducted in the Hasokhel area of Mir Ali.[63]
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.[63][64] No operations had begun in developed areas to ensure that no
militants could escape the cordon and all verified civilians were
evacuated.[63] More than 40 percent of North Waziristan was cleared of
militants in the first three days of the operation.[65]
19 June 2014
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.[66] In a separate incident, eight Uzbek militants
were killed near Miramshah while planting IEDs on the road between Miramshah
and Mir Ali.[66] 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.[66] As many as 400 Afghan
families left North Waziristan for Afghanistan via Ghulam Khan.[67]
20 June 2014
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.[67] 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.[67] Another 24 suspects disguised as IDPs were
arrested at security checkpoints in Mirali and Miramshah.[67] The civilian
evacuation continued from North Waziristan towards Bannu, with 200,000 IDPs
evacuated so far.[67]
21 June 2014
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.[68][69] Three hideouts were destroyed in Hassu Khel,
North Waziristan, killing 20 militants.[68]
23 June 2014
Eight militant
hideouts near Mir Ali were destroyed by jet aircraft during the early morning,
killing 15. Tunnels were spotted in the targeted areas.[70] 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.[70] The
curfew was lifted for two hours to evacuate the remaining civilians. At the
Saidgai security checkpoint, 414,429 IDPs were registered to date.[70] An army
medical corps field hospital was being established in Bannu for displaced persons.[70]
The civilian evacuation was almost complete. About 450,000 IDPs arrived in
Bannu, and were registered at the Saidgai checkpoint.[71][72]
24 June 2014
Twenty militants
were killed and 12 hideouts destroyed in early-morning air strikes in Khyber Agency.[73]
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.[73] 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.[73]
25 June 2014
Pakistan Air
Force (PAF) jets destroyed five hideouts in Mir Ali, killing 13 militants.[74]
Twelve militants surrendered to Pakistani forces.[74]
26 June 2014
The evacuation of
450,000 civilians was completed, and the operation's second phase began with a
ground offensive by the Pakistani military.[59] Seven militants surrendered at
the North Waziristan surrender center, bringing the total to 19.[75][76]
27 June 2014
PAF aircraft
destroyed six confirmed hideouts on the outskirts of Mir Ali in an evening
raid, killing 11 militants.[75] TTP Miranshah Commander Umer was killed on the
outskirts of the town by security forces that night.[75]
28 June 2014
Militant groups
were targeted during the early morning by integrated Pakistani artillery, tank
and heavy-weapons fire outside Miranshah, killing seven.[75] 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.[75]
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.[75]
29 June 2014
Sixteen militants
were killed when PAF fighter jets targeted their hideouts in Mir Ali, North
Waziristan.[77][78] According to military sources, seven militant hideouts,
explosives and ammunition dumps were also destroyed in the airstrikes.[77][78]
30 June 2014
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.[79] 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.[79]
July 2014[edit]
1 July 2014
According to the
ISPR, during ground operations in Miranshah a landmine factory was discovered
and 225 cylinders, 700 pipes filled with explosive materials and 150 unfinished
land mines were recovered.[80] Two Pakistani soldiers were killed and a third
reportedly injured when militants ambushed a military vehicle in Mir Ali, North
Waziristan.[81][82][83]
2 July 2014
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.[84]
3 July 2014
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).[85]
4 July 2014
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."[86] 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.[87]
5 July 2014
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.[88] A Pakistani soldier was killed during
the ground offensive that morning when an IED exploded.[88]
6 July 2014
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.[89][90]
7 July 2014
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.[91]
8 July 2014
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.[92] 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.[93][94]
9 July 2014
Pakistani
airstrikes targeted three hideouts, killing 11 militants in Shawal.[95] Ground
operations continued in Miramshah, which was 80-percent cleared.[95]
10 July 2014
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."[96]
11 July 2014
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.[97] The arrest was
confirmed by the TTP.[98]
12 July 2014
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.[99][100] 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.[99] 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.[99] 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.[101]
13 July 2014
According to the
ISPR, five hideouts in Mir Ali were targeted by the military and several
militants were killed.[33]
14 July 2014
After Miramshah
was under control, a ground offensive was launched in Mirali (second-largest
town in North Waziristan) and the nearby Boya area.[102] Pakistani troops killed
six militants (two of them suicide bombers), including Taliban commander
Matiullah.[102]
15 July 2014
In a media
briefing, ISPR director general Major General Asim Bajwa said that 451
militants were dead and 88 hideouts[103] destroyed. According to Bajwa, 26
soldiers[102]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.[104]
16 July 2014
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".[105][106] The Mir Ali
ground offensive following the clearance of Miranshah continued, with
airstrikes expected.[105]
18 July 2014
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.[107]
19 July 2014
"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."[108] The villages of Boya and Degan were cleared
by Pakistani military,[107] and the ground offensive continued in areas of
Mirali.[107] Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani visited Mirali,
Boya and Degan, meeting with the troops, and relief for IDPs was underway.[107]
20 July
Twenty-eight
militants were killed in airstrikes targeting six hideouts in the Shawal area
of North Waziristan.[109]
23 July 2014
Twenty militants,
including foreigners, were killed by Pakistani airstrikes which destroying four
hideouts in the Shawal tehsil of North Waziristan.[110] The ground operation in
Mir Ali continued, with an ammunition factory and foreign currency seized from
Mir Ali Bazaar.[110] 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.[110]
24 July 2014
Two Pakistani
soldiers were killed in an evening IED explosion near Ghulam Khan, in North
Waziristan (near the Pakistani-Afghan border).[111]
26 July 2014
During the Mir
Ali ground offensive, eight militants were killed and five hideouts were
destroyed.[112]
27 July 2014
Pakistani
security forces cleared 70 percent of Mir Ali and adjacent areas.[113]
29 July 2014
The Pakistani
Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif celebrated the Eid al-Fitr with army
soldiers and IDPs in Baka Khel and Bannu.[114]
30 July 2014
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.[9]
August 2014[edit]
2 August 2014
During the ground
operation in Mirali, three militats were killed in fire-exchange. An ammunition
dump was also seized.[115]
4 August 2014
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.[116][117]
5 August 2014
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.[118]
9 August 2014
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."[119]
14 August 2014
A Pakistani
security forces camp in Miramshah was targeted with rockets by unknown
militants. No loss of life occurred.[120]
19 August 2014
48 militants were
killed in airstrikes and shelling by gunship helicopters of the Pakistani
military, destroying seven militant hideouts and several vehicles in North
Waziristan and Khyber Agency.[121]
30 August 2014
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.[122]
September[edit]
3 September 2014
According to the
ISPR, 910 militants had been killed so far in the operation. The ISPR statement
added that eighty-two soldiers had also been killed (42 were killed in North
Waziristan Agency), while 269 others have been injured. The Pakistan Armed
Forces had cleared Miramshah, Mirali, Datta Khel, Degan, Boya areas of North
Waziristan which were considered strongholds of terrorists.[123]
8 September 2014
Ten militants
were killed and five vehicles were destroyed by Pakistani gunship helicopters
in Boya Degan, according to ISPR.[124]
9 September 2014
A Pakistani
soldier and six militants were killed in a counterattack during a clearing
operation near Datta Khel. A civilian logistic staff member was also killed
while providing supplies to the Pakistani forces.[125]
10 September 2014
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.[126]
12 September 2014
DG ISPR Asim
Bajwa stated that the Pakistani Army was 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 12 October 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.[127]
14 September 2014
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.[128]
15 September 2014
Fifteen militants
were killed in fresh air strikes in North Waziristan. "Army Aviation
Combat helicopters in precise strikes in Tabai area of North Waziristan Agency
destroyed 10 explosive laden vehicles and 5 terrorists hideouts, 15 terrorists
were killed," an ISPR statement said.[129]
16 September 2014
Twenty militants
were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Khyber Agency’s Tor Darra area targeting
three militant hideouts and destroying two ammunition dumps. Another 11
militants were killed as a militant attack from across the border targeted
Pakistani security forces in Dandi Kuch in the Spinwam area of North
Waziristan. Pakistani troops also arrested one terrorist. Three Pakistani
paramilitary soldiers were also killed in the gun-battle.[130]
17 September 2014
At least 11
militants and three soldiers were killed on Tuesday when Afghan terrorists
attacked a Pakistani border post in North Waziristan Agency from
Afghanistan.[10]Another 40 militants were killed in air raids on militant
hideouts in North Waziristan. "Precision air strikes destroyed five
terrorists' hideouts as well as ammunition dumps in village Nawe Kili and Zaram
Asar in an area north of Dattakhel", ISPR said. "Many foreigners were
among those killed in the air strikes", it added.[131]
18 September 2014
23 militants were
killed in airstrikes on militant hideouts. "Today in precise aerial strikes
carried out on terrorists hideouts in Zerom, Ismail Khel, and Datta Khel in
North Waziristan, 23 terrorists were killed," said ISPR.[132]
20 September 2014
TTP spokesperson
Shahidullah Shahid confirmed that a senior Commander Gul Hasan Afghani was
killed in clashes with the Pakistan Army in the Boya area of the agency two
days ago.[133] At least three militants were killed in an exchange of fire with
the security forces in Boya area of the North Waziristan, the ISPR said. A
Pakistan Army’s naib subedar Muzzamil was also killed during the fire
exchange.[134]
23 September 2014
Twenty-three
militants were killed in airstrikes in the Bangidar area of Ghulam Khanx in
North Waziristan Agency, according to an ISPR press release.[135] According to
ISPR reports, nineteen militants were killed in air strikes on militant
hideouts in Dandi Kachkol near Ghulam Khan, Gurbaz and Mana near Pasht Ziarat
in North Waziristan.[136]
28 September 2014
At least 15
militants were killed when Pakistan air force jets struck militant hideouts in
North Waziristan. Foreign militants were also among the dead. Five militant
hideouts were also destroyed.[137]
October[edit]
3 October 2014
Fifteen militants
were killed by airstrikes in the Jamrud and Bara areas of Khyber Agency, and
three militant hideouts were destroyed, ISPR said in a press-release. Over
1,200 militants had been killed in the operation so far.[138]
5 October 2014
Despite the
upcoming winter, the Pakistani military decided to continue the operation,
dispelling an impression that the harsh weather may force military authorities
to halt Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which has been ongoing since mid-June 2014.
"Conducting operation in winters is certainly a challenge for the security
forces but it is also a challenge for militants," a military official told
the media.[139]
12 October 2014
At least 11
militants were killed in military airstrikes targeting two militant hideouts in
North Waziristan. In separate airstrikes in the Khyber Agency’s Kuki Khel area,
at least 10 militants were killed. Three militant hideouts were also destroyed,
said an ISPR statement.[140]
15 October 2014
Five people were
killed and seven were injured in a suicide attack targeting members of a peace
committee, in the Peer Mela area of Tirah valley.[141]
16 October 2014
In an apparent
response to the previous day's suicide bombing, 21 suspected terrorists were
killed in airstrikes in the Khyber Agency’s Tirah Valley, the Pakistani
military said. Five terrorist hideouts were also destroyed.[142]
17 October 2014
Eight militants
were killed in the Aka Khel area of Khyber Agency, in clashes with Pakistani
security forces. A militant hideout was also destroyed during the clashes.[143]
21 October 2014
28 militants,
including foreign militants, were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in the Datta
Khel area of North Waziristan.[144]
22 October 2014
DG ISPR Asim
Bajwa, addressing the media after a friendly cricket match was played between
the IDPs, accompanied by star cricketer Shahid Afridi and the Pakistani Army,
said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is going well, and that 1,100 militants have
been killed so far. He refused to give a specific timeline of the operation's
completion, and said that the army is working towards making a
"comprehensive plan" to rehabilitate them.[145]
25 October 2014
18 militants were
killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Khyber Agency's Khyber district near the
Afghan border.[146]
27 October 2014
Pakistani
officials claimed to have found evidence of "new sanctuaries" set up
by the TTP and its affiliates in the Afghan territory, near the border with
North Waziristan Agency.[147] In two separate incidents of aerial strikes, 33
militants were killed and nine militant hideouts were destroyed, according to
the ISPR. "In early morning aerial strikes ahead of Dattakhel, 18
militants were killed. Later, in Gharlamai area another 15 militants were
killed by gunship helicopters," the ISPR statement added.[148]
29 October 2014
Twenty militants
were killed, and eight others were injured in airstrikes conducted by the
Pakistan Air Force in the Akka Khel area of the Khyber Agency.[149]
November
2014[edit]
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section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2014)
December
2014[edit]
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section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2014)
American drone
strikes[edit]
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:[150]
In 2014[edit]
11 June 2014 –
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.[150]
18 June 2014 – At
least six militants were killed in Miramshah.[150]
10 July 2014 – A
strike in the Datta Khel area killed seven militants and injured three
others.[150]
16 July 2014 -
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.[150]
19 July 2014 -
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.[151]
6 August 2014 - A
strike in Datta Khel killed six militants and injured two others.[152]
24 Sept 2014: At
least 8 people including Uzbek Militants were reportedly killed in a US drone
strike Dattakhel tehsil of North Waziristan.[153]
5 October 2014:
At least 5 suspected militants were killed in a US drone strike in Shawal area
of South Waziristan tribal region.[154]
6 October 2014:
At least 8 suspected militant were killed and several other injured in a U.S
drone strike in Shawal district of North Waziristan.[155]
7 October 2014:
At least 3 suspected militants were killed in a U.S drone strike in North
Waziristan region.[156]
30 October 2014:
A US drone strike killed at least 4, injuring several others in Birmal Tehsil of
South Waziristan.[157]
11 November 2014:
A US drone strike in Doa Toi area of Datakhel tehsil in North Waziristan Agency
killed 4 suspected militants.[158]
21 November
2014:Reportedly Five suspected militants including two commander of 'Qaedat
al-Jihad in the sub-continent’, a newly established branch of Al Qaeda were
killed in a US Drone strike in Datakhel region of North Waziristan Agency.[159]
6 December 2014:
A US drone strike killed a key Al Qaeda leader Umar Farooq along with four
others in Datakhel region of North Waziristan Agency.[160]
26 December 2014:
Two separate US Drone strikes in the Kund and Mangroti area of Shawal in North
Waziristan Agency killed at least 7 suspected militants.[161]
In 2015[edit]
4 January 2015: A
reportedly high value unidentified Uzbek commander of Taliban's Gul Bahadur
group was killed along with 8 others by a US drone strike in Shawal area of
North Waziristan Agency.[162]
15 January 2015:
A US drone strike reportedly killed 7 suspected militants in Wacha Dara area of
Liddah Tehsil of South Waziristan Agency.[163]
19 January 2015:
A US drone strike killed 6 while injuring 4 others in the ShahiKhel area of
North Waziristan's Shawwal tehsil.[164]
28 January 2015:
A US drone strike killed 7 while injuring another militant in the Shawal area
of North Waziristan.[165]
18 March 2015: A
US drone strike killed a TTP commander Khawrey Mehsud along with 3 others in
Shabak area of Kurram Agency.[166]
12 April 2015: A
U.S drone strike killed 4 suspected militants in North Waziristan.[167]
Management of
displaced civilians[edit]
As a result of
the operation, 929,859 displaced civilians (from 80,302 families) were
registered by Pakistani authorities as of 14 July.[33] Financial support,
relief goods and food packages were being distributed[168][169] and 59 donation
points were established across Pakistan by the army.[107]
Foreign
assistance[edit]
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.[170]
United
States – The United States allocated $31 million for IDPs[168] and an
additional $9.3 million for health, hygiene, water and sanitation for IDPs and
livestock.[171]
United Arab
Emirates – The United Arab Emirates government granted $20.5 million in IDP
humanitarian aid.[168]
Reaction[edit]
Domestic[edit]
Social
media[edit]
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.[172]
Pakistan
Tehrik-e-Insaf[edit]
PTI chairman
Imran Khan endorsed the military operation in North Waziristan as it became
clear that the Taliban were not seriously negotiating.[173] 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.[174] The PTI position changed as it became clear that negotiations
were fruitless.[174]
Jamat-e-Islami[edit]
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.[175] 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.[176]
Muttahida Qaumi
Movement[edit]
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."[57] 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.[177][178]
Awami National
Party[edit]
Awami National
Party (ANP) 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."[57]
Local
tribesmen[edit]
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."
[179]
Sunni Ulema
Board[edit]
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".[180]
International[edit]
Afghanistan
– Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Janan Mosazai stated that his government would
provide "every possible assistance" to defeat the militants in the
operation.[181]
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.[182]
United
Nations – In a statement, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated that as of 23 June more than 450,000
people were internally displaced from the war-torn region.[71] Other UN
agencies, such as the UNHCR, agreed to provide tents and other facilities to
the camps.[183] TheWorld Health Organization (WHO) provided medicines and
vaccines to the IDPs to avert a polio outbreak.[184]
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.[185] 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.[186]
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."[28][187] On 5 November 2014, Lt. Gen.
Joseph Anderson, a senior commander for US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, said
in a Pentagon-hosted video briefing from Afghanistan that the Haqqani network
is now "fractured" like the Taliban. "They are fractured. They
are fractured like the Taliban is. That's based pretty much on the Pakistan's
operations in North Waziristan this entire summer-fall," he said,
acknowledging the effectiveness of Pakistan's military offensive. "That has
very much disrupted their efforts in Afghanistan and has caused them to be less
effective in terms of their ability to pull off an attack in Kabul,"
Anderson added.[188]
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.[189]
TTP
retaliation[edit]
Lahore[edit]
Main article:
2014 Wagah border suicide attack
On 2 November
2014, a suicide bombing following the daily parade took place at Wagah border
in Pakistan, more than 55 killed and over 200 injured.[190] The attack was
claimed by militant groups jamaat-ul-Ahrar and jundallah,sub-groups of TTP.
Peshawar[edit]
Main article:
2014 Peshawar school attack
On 16 December
2014, seven gunmen belonging to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)[191]
entered an Army Public School in Pakistani city of Peshawar and opened fire on
school staff and children, killing 145 people.[191][192][193][194] The
spokesperson of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Mohammad Omar Khorasani, took the
responsibility for the attack and said it was revenge for Operation
Zarb-e-Azb.[195]
State's
Counter-retaliation[edit]
Main article:
Targeted killings of TTP terrorists by Pakistan Armed Forces and police
encounters in Pakistan
Responding to
TTP's retaliatory attacks, Pakistan has mounted deadliest counter-retaliation
on TTP; first removing the moratorium on executions of terrorists by the
Presidential Order, and secondly establishing military courts commissions
(roughly based on Gitmo). Pakistani authorities have issued "hang till
death" orders to jail superintendents at the nationwide prisons. In weeks,
a number of high value detainees convicted on a terrorism charges were hanged.
Since December 2014,
Pakistan's intelligence community, law enforcement agencies, antiterrorism
forces, and inter-provincial police have been engaged in deadly police
encounters in all over the country. News media have been televising the live
actions on tracking down the militants and targeting the TTP operatives in
series of police encounters. In the afternoon of 20 December, the KP Police and
the special agents of the FIA raided a safe house in Shabqadar, a town located
in 30 km (19 mi) north of Peshawar. In an exchange of fire at the safe house,
the KPK police and the other law enforcement agencies gunned down the six TTP
fighters, including their commander and two other high value targets who
assisted in the attack.[196] At the night of December 20, the team of Pakistan
Rangers personnel raided a safe house in Manghopir area of Karachi and killed
five members of the TTP in a deadly shoot out.[197]
On 22 December
2014, Karachi Police and the CID teams chased down and killed the TTP leader,
Abid Muchar,[198] along with his three associates in a police encounter. The
same night, another action in took place in Karachi when the CID teams, in a
high-speed chase in Hawke's Bay Beach, chased and apprehended five members of
al-Qaeda'sSouth Asian chapter who are suspected of planning an attack on a
naval dockyard in Karachi in September.
Acting on a MI
information, the navy's SSGN teams were inserted in secret hideout in Khyber
Agency and stalked the six terrorists led by Saddam Jan— the mastermind of the
Army Public School attack— at the midnight of 26 December 2014.[199] In a late
night operations, the SSGN combat teams reportedly hunted and killed Jan along
with his six militants, while trying to seek sanctuary. An unnamed senior
Pakistan government official confirmed the report.[199]
On January 9,
2015, the CID teams gunned down the four al-Qaeda operatives after another high
speed chase took place in Qayyumabad in Karachi.[200] In another
separatemidnight action in Lahore, the teams of FIA's special agents, assisted
by the Punjab Police, raided a house located in Burki Road.[201] Lasting almost
two-hour gun battle, theFIA teams hunted and gunned down Roohullah (alias:
Asadullah)—the mastermind of the Wagah border attack along with three of his
associates. Since the attack, the FIAhad been on a hunt for Roohullah and was
finally killed in a police encounter in Lahore.[201]
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