Pakistan military, on the second anniversary of Zarb-e-Azb operation on Wednesday, emphasised that the job to eradicate the menace of terrorism was not yet finished and there was work still left to do.
Addressing a press conference, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa said some 3,600 sq km were cleared of terrorists initially in the operation. The figure has gone up 4,304 sq km in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and North Waziristan, adding that 992 hideouts have been destroyed thus far.
"There was recruitment going on in North Waziristan, suicide jackets were spreading throughout the country. That has been controlled."
"There are just the last few pockets remaining in the Shawal valley," said Bajwa.
The ISPR head said forces recovered "modern weapons" from militants, which he claimed had been stolen from US troops.
Bajwa also said there challenges in the field, such as the dense forest and the unprecedented height of the Shawal valley and Dattakhel.
"Tribes have been rid of terrorists forever from here, after much difficulty and sacrifices from both locals and the armed forces alike," he said.
--IANS
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