Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa has said that military operation Zarb-e-Azb was an indiscriminate action against the militants.

This he said while briefing the media on progress made during Zarb-e-Azb here Thursday. He said, “The salient operational guidelines for this military operation were it would be an indiscriminate operation, to avoid collateral damage and be mindful of human rights.”

General Asim said action was carried out against terrorists without any discrimination, adding that operations were also conducted against Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network.

Asim Bajwa said, “Terrorism was rampant before launch of Zarb-e-Azb in 2014.” He added that there were about 311 IED blasts, 74 attacks, and 26 suicide attacks.

Presence of militants in Afghanistan is a challenge for Pakistan, he said and added, “Borders are being sealed off after operation against the terrorists.”Terrorism camps are present in Afghanistan, Bajwa said and added that menace could not be controlled without mutual cooperation.

General Bajwa said peace in the region was restored after huge sacrifices made by the armed forces.He added that 168 combing operations were conducted to apprehend the terrorists in the country.

“Our security personnel entered North Waziristan and Khyber Agency to destroy terrorist hideouts. 992 hideouts were destroyed, 253 tonnes explosives were recovered, and 7599 ammunition factories were destroyed,” he added.