At least 23 suspected militants were killed in the fresh air strikes during ongoing Zarb-i-Azb operation launched by the Pakistan Army in North Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, said military on Thursday.
A press release by the public relations wing of the Pakistan military, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, "15 terrorists were killed in Zartatangi mountain heights, East of Miranshah, by the Army's cobra helicopter gunships last night when spotted. It was one of the main communication centers of terrorists." The ISPR further said, "In a separate sniper action, 8 Uzbeks were killed around Miranshah while planting IEDs on the road of Miranshah-Mirali." It added that cordoning off areas housing terrorists in North Wazirstan Agency continues. Continuous terrorists' attempts to flee from the areas have been foiled.
Moreover, evacuation of civil population from Miranshah and Ghulam Khan started. Checkpoints have been established at various places where internally displaced peoples are being provided all administrative support including food items and medicine by security forces, said ISPR.
The army launched its long-awaited major operation 'Zarb-i-Azb' in the tribal region a week after an attack on the airport in Karachi, deploying troops, tanks and jets to the area in the crackdown on the Tehree k e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militants.