RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said that the military operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ against various militant outfits is in its final stages in the North Waziristan agency.
In his address to the troops during his visit to the front lines in Waziristan on Wednesday, the army chief said that remnants of terrorists who have been squeezed into penny pockets will also be cleared shortly.
“These enemies of state and their financiers will not find any place in the country and will ultimately meet their justifies end,” the COAS said according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The COAS said that the successes of operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ and sacrifices of our officers and men have been acknowledged by the entire nation.
The ISPR said that during his visit, the COAS reviewed the progress of ongoing operations in the volatile tribal region.
While showing satisfaction over gains of operations so far, the COAS appreciated the highest state of morale manifested while fighting the terrorists in the most rugged terrain.
The army chief also oversaw future operations including Shawal and directed commanders to ensure that these terrorists must remain cut off from their friends and their outside support.
On June 14 last year, the Pakistan armed forces began a joint military offensive ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ 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 in the North Waziristan agency as a renewed effort against militancy following an attack on the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
