- ISPR DG says TTP’s second-tier leadership either killed or arrested
- Army kills 15 ‘terrorists’, destroys 10 explosive laden vehicles in NWA
- ISAF commander calls of Gen Sharif, discusses Zarb-e-Azb, Afghan situation
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asim Bajwa on Monday said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb had neutralised the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s capacity to carry out terrorist attacks in the country.
During an interview with the BBC, the DG ISPR said, “The operation has scattered the terrorists and they are now only able to carry out random attacks.”
He said that the second-tier leadership of the banned TTP have been either killed or arrested during the operation.
When asked a question regarding the political situation in Pakistan, Bajwa said that the army was not involved in politics nor was it supporting a particular faction during the current crisis.
“We have held the view from the start that this was a political problem and that it should be resolved through the political process,” said the DG ISPR.
“The Pakistan Army cannot support a particular faction because the institution represents the entire country…The Army has not supported any faction in the past nor will it do so in future,” Bajwa said.
ARMY KILLS 10 TERRORISTS:
Meanwhile an ISPR statement said that army helicopters had carried out precision airstrikes in Tabai area on North Waziristan Agency, killing at least 15 suspected terrorists, and destroying 10 explosive-laden vehicles and five hideouts.
Military operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched by the Pakistan Army on June 15 following a brazen militant attack on Karachi’s international airport and failure of peace talks between the government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiators.
ISAF commander calls on Sharif:
Also, General John Campbell, commander International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters on Monday.
This is his first visit to the GHQ after assuming command of the ISAF.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed that included progress of the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation, latest situation in Afghanistan and coordination along the Pak-Afghan Border.
Gen John F. Campbell was nominated to lead American forces in Afghanistan on August 26, 2014. He took over from Gen Joseph Dunford Jr.