Air Strikes
On the second day of operation Zarb-e-Azb Pakistan Air Force launched airstrikes and destroyed 6 hideouts of militants. In airstrikes at the west of Miranshah, 27 militants were killed and 13 militants were killed in the air strikes at Shawal region including six Uzbeks when they were trying to hide in an abandoned school of the area. Shawal is the area that militants use for hideouts; there are no civilians in this area. Pakistan Army emptied out the towns of Mir Ali and Miranshah without any resistance.
First Ground Encounter
In the first ground encounter that happened at the Shawal area, 7 militants were killed when Pakistan Army surrounded them. Militants opened fire on security but the resilient forces did not lose their feet. Two soldiers of Pakistan army also embraced shahadat in this exchange of fire.
So far the ISPR has reported a total 187 militants have been reported as killed in this operation and six soldiers have embraced shahadat and three injured in IED (Improvised Explosive Device) explosion today, which raises the number of Pakistani soldiers martyred in this operation to 8.
TTP Statement and security high alert in major cities of Pakistan
TTP spokesperson Shahid Ullah Shahid issued a statement in which he threatened attacks on Lahore and Islamabad. He said that TTP will burn the palaces of the government in Islamabad and Lahore.
Security in Islamabad and all the major cities of Pakistan has been put on high alert especially the security on all the major prisons and airports in Pakistan has been increased. Police, Army and rangers are at high alert in major cities of Pakistan to respond in case of any emergency.
Political Consensus
Most of the political parties of Pakistan including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan People party, Mutahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party have decided to support the Army Operation launched by Pakistan Army in North Waziristan.
Tahir ul Qadri and Ameer Jamaatud Dawa Hafiz Muhammad Saeed also supported the operation Zarb-e-Arb in separate statements. Tahir ul Qadri said that Pakistan army is busy in jihad against terrorists. Hafiz Saeed said military operation had become inevitable after the attack on Karachi Airport.
The National Assembly and Provincial Assembly of Sindh have passed resolutions supporting operation in North Waziristan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that operation will not end until all terrorists are eliminated.
Chief of Army Staff Gen. Raheed shareef visited corps headquarter Peshawar and emphasized on elimination of all terrorists along with their sanctuaries without any discrimination. He further said that operation is not targeted against the tribes of North Waziristan, but against terrorists holed up in the Agency who have picked up arms against Pakistan.
