Pakistan has said that Operation Zarb-i-Azb, aimed at eliminating militancy from the Islamic Republic, will continue unhindered across the country and will utilise the environment created due to the 'phenomenal success' of the offensive's first phase.
The federal government asserted that the year-long offensive will be taken to its logical conclusion regardless of the cost, and terrorists and criminals would be hunted down indiscriminately.
The decision was taken during a meeting between Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House, reported the Dawn.
Daniyal Gilani, the spokesman for the PM House, said that the meeting focused on reviewing the internal and external security situation of Pakistan and discussing the progress of Zarb-i-Azb.
Gilani further stated Prime Minister Sharif had applauded the gains made by the operation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), saying that the nation was proud of its valiant armed forces. He also said that the entire nation stood behind its soldiers in the war.