Operation Zarb-e-Azab entered into second week yesterday. Although the local authorities and the military is fully concentrating on the evacuation of IDPs before the ground assault, the security forces are also utilizing the aerial assets of PAF and Aviation Corps for surveillance and targeting the militant hideouts where ever required. The onslaught is still confined to the outskirts of main towns and remote areas not frequented by civilians.
Casualties
Yesterday, PAF aircrafts targeted terrorist hideouts in Mirali in early morning sorties and killed 15 militants. Eight hideouts were also bombarded in the same attack.
An unsuccessful escape attempt was made by the terrorists to breach the cordoned off area in Spinwam and MirAli, but the preemptive measures set by the security forces foiled their desperate rush. 10 militants were decimated in the ensuing firefight. Two soldiers also embraced martyrdom, as a result.
Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
So far 4,23,666 IDPs have been registered at the Saidgai check post including 34,625 families having 1,11,241 male, 1,33,722 female and 1,78,523 children.
A field medical hospital and four relief goods delivery points have been established at Bannu. The concerned civil agencies are distributing food items, medical care and cash amount announced by the government.
The World Food Program also began distributing aid for the people who have fled the areas of North Waziristan affected by the Zarb-e-Azb offensive.
Other Developments
More than 100 ulema from various school of thought declared the military operation against terrorists of TTP as Jihad. In a meeting organized by Sunni Ulema Board more than 100 ulema issued a decree (Fatwa), referring to the Verse No 33 of Surah-e-Almaidah of the Holy Quran which says crushing of the attempts to disrupt peaceful atmosphere in a Muslim state is Jihad. It also said that the nation is bound to support Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
212 families comprising 17124 individuals of North Waziristan have returned from Afghanistan. These families had gone to Afghanistan after the start of military operation in North Waziristan. The families are staying in Kurram Agency and the government is providing assistance to them.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Sardar Mehtab Abbasi has expressed disappointment over the moves to block the entry of displaced North Waziristan tribesmen into Sindh and Balochistan.
Contributing Reporter: Atiq Durrani
Discuss this topic on Defence.pk
