By Agha Iqrar Haroon
Islamabad: Pak Army starts ground offense code name of Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists in North Waziristan. This is first ever full fledge operation against terrorists in tribal areas. “This operation will continue till getting desirous results of eliminating all hide outs of terrorists across Pak-Afghan border. Pakistan Army chosen evening hours of Sunday to start ground assault and full action although it continued airstrikes against terrorists whole Sunday without stop. Lt. Gen Khalid Rabbani will lead the operation #ZarbEAzb. He leads Peshawar Corp and known for his professionalism. His son is also serving Army and is deputed in trouble Tirah valley fighting against terrorists.
Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif will address lower house of the parliament (National Assembly) today and will brief parliamentarians about #ZarbEAzb.
This action was becoming inevitable for Pakistan due to Middle East situation and because of mounting pressure of China over Pakistan Army and the government of Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Saudis takes off hands from TTP for the time being as they are facing great mess in Middle East. This was time Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif could take decision so he did it, said close circles of Prime Minister political party PMLN
Political parties of Pakistan including opposition in National Assembly Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of former prime minister late Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) of Dr. Tahirul Qadari, PML Quaid of former Prime Minister ch. Shujaat Hussain and MQM of Altaf Hussian have expressed their full support to Pakistan Army. However right wing religious parties Jamaat-i-Islami, JUI and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) refrained from showing their support to action against terrorists.
Pakistan Army started ground offensive against terrorists after receiving approval from Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif who was reluctant to give approval for full fledge operation last week when Chief of Army Gen Raheel Sharif briefed PM and demanded permission for full ground action against TTP. Sources inform Dispatch News desk that Prime Minister gave permission today in reference to Middle east situation where Salafi militants including from Pakistan are gaining ground against iraqi government. Security agencies were of the view that war against TTP could come more difficult when these terrorists who are busy in Iraq supporting ISIS will come back to Pakistan. It may be mentioned that thousands of TTP militants are fighting against Shia governments of Iraq and Syria in Middle East after arriving to Iraq through saudi arabia and gulf. However Pakistan government official denied these allegations.
Minister for Defence Kh. Asif said entire nation is standing with Pakistan Army to defeat terrorists and it (Pakistan Army) would clean North Waziristan from terrorists as it did in Swat valley.
We have also requested Afghan government to take strict action in Kunar valley where Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) leadership is hiding. We want to smash TTP terrorists at both sides of the border, said a high profile intelligence official on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to comment to media
All diplomats in Islamabad have been asked to stay away from shopping malls, avoid jogging in parks and keep inside offices and home for next couple of days. Officials of all United Nations offices within Pakistan have also advised to minimise their moments and commuting. Security has tighten in all important installations, airports, radio stations, television stations, telecommunication installations and government buildings all over the country. Curfew in North Wazirstan tribal region has been tightened following the start of a ground offensive, with authorities issuing shoot-on-sight orders.
According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation code named “Zarb-e-Azb” (Strike of Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) sword) has been initiated . Al-Azab, which means sharp and cutting, is the name of one of many ‘fighting blades’ the Holy Prophet (PBUH) used in different wars against the pagans of Arabia.
Some 40 percent of the region’s population of half a million have already fled, leaving around 300,000 behind, multiple residents, reports AFP
A military official in the main North Waziristan town of Miranshah said that the coordinated operation — involving airforce, artillery, tanks and ground troops — has already started.
World renowned philanthropist through a twitter message fully supported action against terrorists in North waziristan and asked to nation to stand with pakistan Army:
Once more we are fighting cancer #ZarbeAzb this time boys make sure it don’t grows back. Pakistan Army Zindabad. I support this operation.
— Abdul Sattar Edhi (@EdhiAbdulSattar) June 15, 2014
DG ISPR, Maj Gen Asim Bajwa constantly updated nation about the long awaited action against terrorists. In one of his twitter message he informed:
#Zarb-e-Azb:All potential terrorists bases cordoned off,local population will be allowed to leave.Transport arranged,IDP Camp established — AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 15, 2014
In anogther twitter message Maj Gen Asim informed journalists that government is still giving chance to terrorists to surrender to forces:
#Zarb-e-Azb:Surrender points established for those who chose to quit violence & give up arms.Aerial surveillance by own platforms continues — AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 15, 2014
Canadian based religious scholor Dr. Tahirul Qadari has also announced his support for this action
Allah’s & the Holy Prophet’s (SAAW) help is with soldiers & officers of #Pakistan armed forces who are fighting against terrorists #ZarbEAzb — Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) June 15, 2014
Daughter of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has also expressed her satisfaction over this action. Asifa Zardari Bhutto said:
Finally the government decides to take action against these savage killers #ZarbEAzb! — Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) June 15, 2014
