Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa on Tuesday said that action against extremists in Khyber Agency has been finished. He further said that the army is also looking forward to the completion of operation Zarb-e-Azb at the earliest.
In an interview with BBC, he said that first phase of operation against militants in North Waziristan Agency has been completed. He made it clear that army was launching the offensive to clear Shawaal from the possession of terrorists as soon as possible.
Responding to a question related to Zarb-e-Azb, Asim Bajwa reiterated the continuation of the operation till the elimination of last militant from the area. He said that Pakistan Army also wants to finish Zarb-e-Azb at its earliest, adding that the operation has claimed lives of several criminals and terrorists. He added that significant success has been achieved in the operation.
To another question, he said that under a comprehensive strategy, the process of sending rehabilitating IDPs belonging to tribal areas to their home town would be speeded up soon. He said that the federal government had also allocated funds in the budget of current year for this purpose. “We want to send them back to their homes in good condition,” the spokesman said.
To another question about death of IDPs during clash with army, Maj Gen Asim Bajwa said an investigation committee had been formed which investigated the incident and the matter is moving towards its logical end.
About the terrorists who have run away to Afghanistan, Gen Bajwa said that despite information given across the border, they were not stopped in Afghanistan.