- Terrorist make desperate attempts to flee NWA as Pakistan Army’s fighter jets continue to pound them hard in collaboration with ground troops, killing 25 more militants
- As IDPs count crosses 430,000, Army Engineers Division tasked to assist civil administration at Bannu, Dera Ismael Khan for better management of affairs
RAWALPINDI
AGENCIES
At least 25 suspected terrorists were killed in airstrikes and by ground troops of Pakistan’s Armed Forces in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) as the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the cordoned area crossed 430,000 on Monday.
“Eight terrorist hideouts around Mir Ali, NWA were destroyed by jet aircrafts early morning,” said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“15 terrorists were killed in the strikes. Tunnels were spotted in the targeted areas and 10 terrorists were killed while fleeing from the cordoned off area in Spinwam and Mir Ali. Two soldiers also embraced martyrdom in exchange of fire,” the statement added.
“While the operation Zarb-e-Azb progresses as per plan, terrorists inside cordoned area are making desperate attempts to flee from the area. Several attempts by terrorists to flee from the cordoned off area have been foiled,” it said.
Moreover, aerial surveillance, vigorous patrolling and cordon around the area housing terrorists continue as the military operation Zarb-e-Azb progresses as per plan, the statement added.
AS IDPs EVACUATE:
On IDPs’ situation, the Pakistan Army said that curfew was relaxed from 6am to 4pm Monday to facilitate evacuation of leftover locals.
“As many as 414,429 IDPs have been registered so far at Saidgai Checkpost. It is believed that remaining people will leave the area today.”
For better management of IDPs at Bannu, Army Engineers Division has been tasked to assist the civil administration at Bannu and Dera Ismael Khan. Troops of the Engineers Division have already reached Bannu.
The Army said that four relief goods delivery points have been established by its Engineers Division at Bannu, where food items, medical care and cash amount, as announced by the federal government, will be distributed by the concerned civil agency among IDPs of NWA.
A field medical hospital by Army Medical Corps is also being established at Bannu to provide medical relief to the displaced people, it added.
