Casualties
The third day of the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb, witnessed a lot of action, as the PAF jets and gunship helicopters pumped up militant hideouts in Kushali Torikhel Wazir Tehsil, Khaisur and Hakhel areas of Mir Ali. Six hideouts, a militant training camp and bomb factory were destroyed in Hasokhel area, where at least 25 local and foreign militants were killed.
The armed forces haven’t ingressed in the built up areas, as yet, according to ISPR, due to fear of any untoward civilian collateral. In the meanwhile, the cordon around key militancy havens has been re-enforced, to prevent the militants from escaping. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of Pakistan military are constantly continuing the surveillance of operational areas.
Internally Displaced Person
According to the military spokesman, civilian population has been already evacuated from the operation affected areas after detailed verification. The local political administration and disaster management authorities are currently taking care of the large influx of IDP’s.
An amount of Rs. 500 million for Zarb-e-Azb IDP facilitation fund has been allocated by the Federal Government. The details were shared by Mr. Ishaq Dar, the Minister of Finance. The IDP facilitation in charge, Mr. Abdul Qadir Baloch also expressed that Rs. 7000 will be provided by the Government to every displaced civilian family, instead of relief goods.
Political Developments
A telephonic call to the Afghanistan’s President Mr. Hamid Karzai was made today by PM Nawaz Sharif who urged Afghanistan Government to seal off their border along mountains immediately so that the insurgents cannot escape to the other side.
Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commander of International Security Assistance Force told Associated Press in an interview that the United States is not coordinating military operations with Pakistan along the border, but the ISAF and United States officials have stepped up intelligence-sharing with the Afghan forces.
Pakistan COAS General Raheel Sharif also cancelled his visit to Sri Lanka due to the ongoing operation. In contrast, the Pakistani premier Mian Nawaz Sharif reached Dushanbe, Tajikistan Tuesday on a two-day visit to extend bilateral cooperation.
Contributing Reporter: Atiq Durrani
