Operation Zarb-e-Azb

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Operation Zarb-e-Azb (

North Waziristan along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as a renewed effort against militancy in the wake of the 8 June attack on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, for which the TTP and the IMU claimed responsibility.[1][2] As of 14 July 2014, the operation internally displaced about 929,859 people belonging to 80,302 families from North Waziristan.[3]

Operation Zarb-e-Azb
Part of the Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
and the Global War on Terrorism

  • – North Waziristan
  • – FATA
  • – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Date15 June 2014 – 22 February 2017
Location
Pakistan
Status

Pakistani victory[18][19][20][21]

Belligerents

 Pakistan

Insurgent groups

Formerly:

 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant[16]

Commanders and leaders
Pakistan
Major-General Zafar Khan[24]

Insurgent groups

Maulana Fazlullah †

Sheikh Khalid Haqqani
Sheharyar Mehsud
Adnan Rashid
Islamic State Usman Ghazi †[15][25]
Adnan el-Shukrijumah †

ISIL
Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi  †
(Leader of ISIL)

Abu Alaa Afri †
(Deputy Leader of ISIL)[26]

Islamic State Hafiz Saeed Khan †[27] (ISIL Emir of Afghanistan and Pakistan)
Islamic State Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost (2014–2015)[28][29]

Islamic State Usman Ghazi †[15][30]
Strength
Pakistan
20,000[31]–30,000[32]

Insurgent groups
Several thousand

ISIL
500-1000
Casualties and losses
Pakistan
490 killed[33][34][35][36][37]
1,914 injured[35][36]

Insurgent groups
3,500 killed[33][34]

ISIL
46+ killed[38]
929,859
TTP retaliation

Part of the

war in North-West Pakistan, up to 30,000 Pakistani soldiers were involved in Zarb-e-Azb, described as a "comprehensive operation" to flush out all foreign and local militants hiding in North Waziristan.[41] The operation has received widespread support from the Pakistani political, defence and civilian sectors. As a consequence, the overall security situation improved and terrorist attacks in Pakistan dropped to a six-year low since 2008.[42] Zarb-e-Azb was followed by Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad
which began in February 2017, following a resurgence in terrorist incidents.

Etymologies

Zarb-e-Azb (

ALA-LC: Ẓarb-i ʿAẓb pronounced [zərb-e əzb]) means "sharp and cutting strike".[43] Azb also refers to the sword owned by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which he used in the battles of Badr and Uhud.[44]

Strategy

For the first time, the Pakistani military implemented a military strategy called "Seek, Destroy, Clear, Hold." The Pakistani military will seek the target. Once found, it will be destroyed. When destroyed, the infrastructure, bodies and weapons will be cleared and the area will be held both during this time and after its completion to ensure post-operation security and infrastructure rebuilding and/or area rehabilitation. The

Seek and destroy component is from the Vietnam War whereas the Clear and hold component is from the Iraq War
. The Pakistani military combined the two doctrines as a single doctrine for the operation to be successful.

Background

Peace negotiations

Peace negotiations with the Taliban were announced by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after his election,[45] although previous attempts to engage TTP in dialogue had failed. The first session of talks, between committees appointed by the Pakistani Government and the Taliban, was held on 26 March 2014 at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.[46] The Taliban did not name representatives from their ranks, instead nominating pro-Taliban religious figures to present their views.[45] The terrorists called for the implementation of Sharia in Pakistan; the Government of Pakistan demanded the cessation of hostilities, insisting that talks be held within the framework of the Pakistani constitution.[45] A month-long ceasefire was reached on 1 March 2014.[47]

Besides the meetings at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, negotiations also involved helicopter travel by government representatives to the areas under militant control near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The government had indicated that stronger military action would be implemented if the talks failed.[46]

Failure

Negotiations collapsed after the execution of 23 Pakistani Frontier Corps soldiers by the Taliban on 17 February 2014.[48][49] The soldiers had been held by the insurgents since 2010, and on 17 April 2014 the TTP formally ended the ceasefire.[50] Taliban infighting since March 2014 killed more than 90 militants. The strife, triggered by differences between the Mehsud group (led by Sheheryar Mehsud) and another TTP faction (led by Khan Said Sajna), impeded the negotiations.[51] The negotiations were irreversibly damaged by a terrorist attack on Karachi Airport for which the Taliban claimed responsibility and which killed 28 people (including security personnel).[52][53] A Pakistani military official was quoted to have said, "The army is ready for an operation."[54]

Jinnah Airport attack

Main article: 2014 Jinnah International Airport attack

The operation began one week after a terrorist attack on Pakistan's busiest airport. On 8 June 2014, 10 militants from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and TTP attacked Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, killing 28 people including security personnel and wounding at least 18.[52]

In retaliation, the Pakistani military launched a series of air-strikes targeting terrorist hideouts in the areas bordering Afghanistan. At least 25 militants were killed on 10 June. The figure also included foreign militants killed.

North Waziristan.[58][59]

Preparations

Using North Waziristan as a base, these terrorists had waged a war against the state of Pakistan and had been disrupting our national life in all its dimensions, stunting our economic growth and causing enormous loss of life and property. They had also paralyzed life within the agency and had perpetually terrorized the entire peace loving and patriotic local population.

Inter-Services Public Relations[60][61]

The

Pakistani military had prepared for the operation long before, and the government prepared for a three-front operation:[62] isolating targeted militant groups, obtaining support from the political parties and saving civilians from the backlash of the operation.[62]

Khawaja Asif said that the nation stood by its military: "The decision was taken after the strategy of dialogue failed. The operation will continue until it reaches its logical conclusion. Any group that challenges Pakistan's constitution, attacks civilians, soldiers, and government installations and uses Pakistani territory to plan terrorist attacks will be targeted". Asif added that internally displaced persons would be assisted by the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments: "We will try to ensure that the displaced do not have to stay away from their homes for too long."[63]

The combat troops encircled militant bases in the towns of Mirali and Miranshah. Pakistani officials said that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) were requested to seal the border on their side so that militants do not escape.[64] The operation involved the Air Force, Navy artillery, tanks and ground troops. According to a military statement, "On the directions of the government, armed forces of Pakistan have launched a comprehensive operation against foreign and local terrorists who are hiding in sanctuaries in North Waziristan."[64] An official with the military said that between 14,000 and 20,000 soldiers were normally stationed in North Waziristan before the operation, and he expected the offensive to require no more than a total of 30,000 troops.[32]

Timeline

2014

Clearance of Mirali in North Wazirastan Agency

June

15 June 2014
The first phase of the operation began with intensified bombings in
ammunition dump was also destroyed. As many as 140 militants (mostly Uzbek) were reportedly killed in the strikes, including commander and airport attack mastermind Abu Abdur Rehman Almani.[59][60][66] North Waziristan was sealed by troops on its border with neighbouring agencies and FATA regions to block the movement of militants. In North Waziristan, troops cordoned off insurgent bases (including those in the towns of Mir Ali and Miranshah).[60] Logistical and administrative arrangements for IDPs were made by the Disaster Management Agency, with the establishment of registration points and IDP camps.[60] Surrender points were established for militants wishing to give up their arms.[60] Aerial surveillance of the area was conducted. Afghan security forces were requested to seal the border on their side to prevent militants from escaping across the border and initiate immediate measures to eliminate TTP militants and their hideouts in Kunar, Nuristan and elsewhere in Afghanistan.[60]
16 June 2014
Seven fleeing militants were killed on the outskirts of Mirali overnight, with three soldiers injured in the exchange of fire.
Special Services Group sniper fire while planting IEDs near Miramshah.[66]
17 June 2014
Airstrikes destroyed six hideouts in North Waziristan, killing 25 foreign and local militants. Airstrikes were also conducted in the Hasokhel area of Mir Ali.[69] At least three suspected militants were killed when they attempted to flee a cordoned-off area in Miramshah, with one soldier injured in the exchange of fire.[69][70] No operations had begun in developed areas to ensure that no militants could escape the cordon and all verified civilians were evacuated.[69] More than 40 percent of North Waziristan was cleared of militants in the first three days of the operation.[71]
19 June 2014
Fifteen militants were reportedly killed overnight in the Zartatangi Heights, east of Miramshah, by army Cobra helicopter gunships. The area was one of the main communications centres of the insurgents.[72] In a separate incident, eight Uzbek militants were killed near Miramshah while planting IEDs on the road between Miramshah and Mir Ali.[72] The evacuation of the civilian population from Miramshah and Ghulam Khan began. Checkpoints were established in a number of locations, where IDPs received food and medicine from security forces.[72] As many as 400 Afghan families left North Waziristan for Afghanistan via Ghulam Khan.[73]
20 June 2014
Three militant hideouts in the Qutab Khel area, on the outskirts of Miramshah, were destroyed in the early morning by army Cobra helicopter gunships with artillery and sniper assistance. Twelve militants, including some foreigners, were killed in the strikes and a large cache of arms and ammunition destroyed.[73] Militants inside cordoned-off areas attempted to flee. Six attempts were halted overnight, and three local residents without identification were arrested trying to flee from the cordon.[73] Another 24 suspects disguised as IDPs were arrested at security checkpoints in Mirali and Miramshah.[73] The civilian evacuation continued from North Waziristan towards Bannu, with 200,000 IDPs evacuated so far.[73]
21 June 2014
A total of 30 militants were killed in early-morning airstrikes in uninhabited areas of Khyber and North Waziristan Agencies. Jet aircraft destroyed two hideouts near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Agency, killing 10 militants. These surgical strikes were in line with the security forces' strategy to take on the militants across the FATA.[74][75] Three hideouts were destroyed in Hassu Khel, North Waziristan, killing 20 militants.[74]
23 June 2014
Eight militant hideouts near Mir Ali were destroyed by jet aircraft during the early morning, killing 15. Tunnels were spotted in the targeted areas.[76] Ten militants were killed attempting to flee from cordoned-off bases in Spinwam and Mir Ali, with two Pakistani soldiers also reportedly killed in an exchange of fire.[76] The curfew was lifted for two hours to evacuate the remaining civilians. At the Saidgai security checkpoint, 414,429 IDPs were registered to date.[76] An army medical corps field hospital was being established in Bannu for displaced persons.[76] The civilian evacuation was almost complete. About 450,000 IDPs arrived in Bannu, and were registered at the Saidgai checkpoint.[77][78]
24 June 2014
Twenty militants were killed and 12 hideouts destroyed in early-morning air strikes in Khyber Agency.[79] Twenty-seven militants were killed in afternoon jet strikes in Mir Ali and the surrounding area, with 11 hideouts and a large weapons cache destroyed.[79] An afternoon suicide car-bomb attempt was foiled in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan. When an explosive-laden vehicle approached a checkpoint outside a civilian hospital, soldiers fired at the vehicle (which exploded 100 meters from the checkpoint. Two soldiers and one civilian were reportedly killed when the roof of a nearby building collapsed from the explosion.[79]
25 June 2014
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets destroyed five hideouts in Mir Ali, killing 13 militants.[80] Twelve militants surrendered to Pakistani forces.[80]
26 June 2014
The evacuation of 450,000 civilians was completed, and the operation's second phase began with a ground offensive by the Pakistani military.[65] Seven militants surrendered at the North Waziristan surrender center, bringing the total to 19.[81][82]
27 June 2014
PAF aircraft destroyed six confirmed hideouts on the outskirts of Mir Ali in an evening raid, killing 11 militants.[81] TTP Miranshah Commander Umer was killed on the outskirts of the town by security forces that night.[81]
28 June 2014
Militant groups were targeted during the early morning by integrated Pakistani artillery, tank and heavy-weapons fire outside Miranshah, killing seven.[81] An al-Qaeda commander, revealed by initial interrogation as an explosives, IED and suicide-belt expert, was arrested trying to flee from a surrounded base.[81] Three militants were arrested by security forces while trying to cross the Indus River near Mianwali. All river crossings were fortified to seal escape routes.[81]
29 June 2014
Sixteen militants were killed when PAF fighter jets targeted their hideouts in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.[83][84] According to military sources, seven militant hideouts, explosives and ammunition dumps were also destroyed in the airstrikes.[83][84]
30 June 2014
Early-morning ground operations began in and around Miramshah. Search operations were conducted by
Special Services Group, killing 15 militants. Troops discovered underground tunnels and IED-preparation factories in the cleared areas, with three soldiers reportedly injured in an exchange of fire. The civilian population had been evacuated.[85] Since the beginning of the operation 376 militants were killed and 19 surrendered, with 61 hideouts destroyed in the operation's first phase. Seventeen soldiers were reportedly killed.[85]

July

1 July 2014
According to the ISPR, during ground operations in Miranshah a landmine factory was discovered and 225 cylinders, 700 pipes filled with explosive materials and 150 unfinished land mines were recovered.[86] Two Pakistani soldiers were killed and a third reportedly injured when militants ambushed a military vehicle in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.[87][88][89]
2 July 2014
Ten militants were killed when Pakistani helicopters shelled hideouts in the Khar Warsak region, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north of Miramshah, with three hideouts destroyed in the airstrikes.[90]
3 July 2014
The bodies of seven militants were recovered in the Darpa Khel area of Mir Ali. A security official reportedly said, "Bodies were of suspected militants who were gunned down by security forces in Mir Ali tehsil of the agency", adding that the forces had advanced from Mir Ali and Miramshah Bazaar towards the outskirts of the agency after destroying three hideouts in Mir Ali (one of which held foreign militants).[91]
4 July 2014
Pakistani soldier Niak Fiaz Mohammad was killed by an IED explosion, during a house-to-house search operation in North Waziristan. Mohammed's funeral was held in Bannu before the soldier's body was transported to his hometown, Mansehra. ISPR
director-general Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said, "We salute the courage and bravery of Niak Fiaz Shaheed."[92]
A Pakistani soldier from Azad Kashmir was killed in the Jord region of North Waziristan. The soldier, Sadheer Ismail from Malsi Ghari Dupatta, was buried in his family cemetery. Pakistan Army personnel attended Ismail's funeral, where friends praised his determination and resolve.[93]
5 July 2014
Airstrikes targeted Miramshah and the village of Boya, destroying five militant hideouts, caves, and an ammunition cache. The early-morning strikes killed 20 militants, most of whom were reportedly Uzbeks.[94] A Pakistani soldier was killed during the ground offensive that morning when an IED exploded.[94]
6 July 2014
Hundreds of Taliban fighters reportedly cut their hair and beards to flee the operation. According to IDPs, the Taliban disguised themselves in the weeks before the Pakistan Army operation. Although the militants advocated sharia in Pakistan and were contemptuous of Western culture, refugees said that in North Waziristan the militants enjoyed imported products.[95][96]
7 July 2014
Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited North Waziristan. Sharif was received by Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani, the Peshawar corps commander, and briefed by the general officer commanding for the operation. He commended the troops for their determination, commitment and resolve, praising the progress achieved since the beginning of the operation.[97]
8 July 2014
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in an interview with Radio Pakistan that 400 militants and 20 Pakistani soldiers had been killed so far in the operation. Although he declined to provide a time frame for the operation's end, he expressed a resolve to finish as early as possible.[98] Airstrikes by the PAF killed 13 militants (including foreigners) in the Digaan area of North Waziristan, according to an ISPR press release. Seven militant hideouts were also destroyed.[99][100]
9 July 2014
Pakistani airstrikes targeted three hideouts, killing 11 militants in Shawal.[101] Ground operations continued in Miramshah, which was 80-percent cleared.[101]
10 July 2014
The Pakistani army invited local and international media to Miramshah to observe the militant facilities. Flags, weapons and explosive materials were shown. ISPR Director Major General Asim Bajwa and Operation Commander Major General Zafar Khan briefed the media on the operation's progress. They said that as many as 400 terrorists were killed and another 130 injured to date. Eleven IED factories were uncovered, and over 2,000 IEDs confiscated. Bajwa said that underground tunnels built by the militants (one a kilometer long) had also been discovered: "This (Miranshah) was one of their major base, we have dislodged them from here and now they are on the run, We have also discovered their command and control centre, which would definitely affect their capabilities."[102]
11 July 2014
Injured Taliban commander
South Waziristan when they tried to escape from cordoned-off North Waziristan, and were moved to an undisclosed location by army helicopter. Marwat was reportedly the brother of Mufti Sajjad Marwat, an al-Qaeda spokesman for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rashid was planning to flee to Afghanistan.[103] The arrest was confirmed by the TTP.[104]
12 July 2014
Thirteen militants, primarily foreign, were killed in an early-morning PAF airstrike after firing rockets at a security checkpoint in Mir Ali; seven hideouts and an ammunition cache were also destroyed.[105][106] The connection of the cleared area in Miramshah and the Miramshah-Dattakhel road continued. In Khar Warsak and Zartangi, security forces discovered six motorcycle IEDs, two vehicle IEDs, two 12.7 mm guns, one 14.5 mm gun, three vehicles and eleven explosive belts during the previous 24 hours. Two explosive-laden vehicles were also destroyed in airstrikes at Degan.[105] Three militants, including one Uzbek, were arrested in Boya. Two suicide bombers were identified and chased, but they blew themselves up when encircled by security forces near the town.[105] Eighteen militants were killed in PAF airstrikes in the Mosaki area, 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of Miramshah, and artillery shelling in the Kharkamar area, 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Miramshah. "Six terrorist hideouts and a huge ammunition cache were destroyed and at least 13 militants, mostly Uzbek, were killed in the Saturday morning strikes, five militants were killed and two militant hideouts were destroyed by artillery fire in the Kharkamar area on Saturday night", a security official said.[107]
13 July 2014
According to the ISPR, five hideouts in Mir Ali were targeted by the military and several militants were killed.[3]
14 July 2014
After Miramshah was under control, a ground offensive was launched in Mirali (second-largest town in North Waziristan) and the nearby Boya area.[108] Pakistani troops killed six militants (two of them suicide bombers), including Taliban commander Matiullah.[108]
15 July 2014
In a media briefing, ISPR director general Major General Asim Bajwa said that 451 militants were dead and 88 hideouts[109] destroyed. According to Bajwa, 26 soldiers[108] were killed in the operation to date. According to ISPR, five Pakistani soldiers were killed in exchanges of fire in and around Mirali (including an officer, Captain Akash Rabbani). Two soldiers were injured, and 11 insurgents were killed.[110]
16 July 2014
Thirty-five militants were killed in airstrikes in the Shawal area. According to an ISPR press release, "Today, early morning at least 35 fleeing terrorists were killed through aerial strikes in
Shawal valley".[111][112] The Mir Ali ground offensive following the clearance of Miranshah continued, with airstrikes expected.[111]
18 July 2014
House-to-house searches were conducted in areas of Mir Ali. Four militants were killed in an exchange of fire and 12 IEDs, an IED factory and caches of ammunition and foreign currency were seized.[113]
19 July 2014
"The command and control system of terrorists was destroyed in North Waziristan," said Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. "There is no place for terrorism in a democratic country."[114] The villages of Boya and Degan were cleared by Pakistani military,[113] and the ground offensive continued in areas of Mirali.[113] Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani visited Mirali, Boya and Degan, meeting with the troops, and relief for IDPs was underway.[113]
20 July
Twenty-eight militants were killed in airstrikes targeting six hideouts in the Shawal area of North Waziristan.[115]
23 July 2014
Twenty militants, including foreigners, were killed by Pakistani airstrikes which destroying four hideouts in the Shawal tehsil of North Waziristan.[116] The ground operation in Mir Ali continued, with an ammunition factory and foreign currency seized from Mir Ali Bazaar.[116] According to ISPR, a disposal operation of mines and explosive materials was underway in Miramshah with six IED factories cleared by army engineers to date.[116]
24 July 2014
Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in an evening IED explosion near Ghulam Khan, in North Waziristan (near the Pakistani-Afghan border).[117]
26 July 2014
During the Mir Ali ground offensive, eight militants were killed and five hideouts were destroyed.[118]
27 July 2014
Pakistani security forces cleared 70 percent of Mir Ali and adjacent areas.[119]
29 July 2014
The Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif celebrated the Eid al-Fitr with army soldiers and IDPs in Baka Khel and Bannu.[120]
30 July 2014
According to the official sources, a Pakistan Army check post was attacked by Afghan militants in Lower Dir. The cross-border attack involved 70-80 militants. In retaliation, at least seven militants were killed and nine others were injured.[9]

August

2 August 2014
During the ground operation in Mirali, three militats were killed in fire-exchange. An ammunition dump was also seized.[121]
4 August 2014
During ground offensive in Datta Khel area, Seven Uzbek militants were killed in fire-exchange, two soldiers identified as Subedar Mashkoor and Lans Naik Zaheer were also killed. Data Khel was cleared and the ground operation continued in Mirali and other areas.[122][123]
5 August 2014
Airstrikes on 6 militant hideouts were conducted by the Pakistani military, killing at least 30 militants. According to ISPR, the raids were carried out in the Datta khel, Marshikhel and Kamsham areas. Mirali was also cleared and the ground operation in Mirali came to an end.[124]
9 August 2014
The
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during National Security Conference in Islamabad said: "We pay tribute to the sacrifices of our armed forces in the war against terrorism and express solidarity with their families." Sharif added that the "intensity of the blowback of the military operation would be low."[125]
14 August 2014
A Pakistani security forces camp in Miramshah was targeted with rockets by unknown militants. No loss of life occurred.[126]
19 August 2014
48 militants were killed in airstrikes and shelling by gunship helicopters of the Pakistani military, destroying seven militant hideouts and several vehicles in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency.[127]
30 August 2014
32 militants were killed and three hideouts destroyed by army gunship helicopters in the remote areas of North Waziristan. According to ISPR, 23 explosive laden vehicles and four ammunition dumps were also destroyed.[128]

September

3 September 2014
According to the ISPR, 910 militants had been killed so far in the operation. The ISPR statement added that eighty-two soldiers had also been killed (42 were killed in North Waziristan Agency), while 269 others have been injured. The Pakistan Armed Forces had cleared Miramshah, Mirali, Datta Khel, Degan, Boya areas of North Waziristan which were considered strongholds of terrorists.[129]
8 September 2014
Ten militants were killed and five vehicles were destroyed by Pakistani gunship helicopters in Boya Degan, according to ISPR.[130]
9 September 2014
A Pakistani soldier and six militants were killed in a counterattack during a clearing operation near Datta Khel. A civilian logistic staff member was also killed while providing supplies to the Pakistani forces.[131]
10 September 2014
35 militants were killed when Pakistan bombed three militant hideouts in Datta Khel. Another 30 militants were killed when Pakistani fighter planes bombed two militant hideouts in Shawal.[132]
12 September 2014
DG ISPR Asim Bajwa stated that the Pakistani Army was ready to go into remote areas to take down militants, if required. He added that the 10 militants behind the attack on Malala Yousafzai that took place on 12 October 2012 had been arrested, and those behind attack on Ziarat residency had also been arrested. He revealed that over 1,000 militants had been killed in North Waziristan including 45 hardcore militants, while 134 hardcore militants had also been arrested.[133]
14 September 2014
Three Frontier Corps personnel were killed when a group of militants launched a rocket attack on a mountain fort in Spinwam area of North Waziristan near Afghan border.[134]
15 September 2014
Fifteen militants were killed in fresh air strikes in North Waziristan. "Army Aviation Combat helicopters in precise strikes in Tabai area of North Waziristan Agency destroyed 10 explosive laden vehicles and 5 terrorists hideouts, 15 terrorists were killed," an ISPR statement said.[135]
16 September 2014
Twenty militants were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Khyber Agency's Tor Darra area targeting three militant hideouts and destroying two ammunition dumps. Another 11 militants were killed as a militant attack from across the border targeted Pakistani security forces in Dandi Kuch in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan. Pakistani troops also arrested one terrorist. Three Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were also killed in the gun-battle.[136]
17 September 2014
At least 11 militants and three soldiers were killed on Tuesday when Afghan terrorists attacked a Pakistani border post in North Waziristan Agency from Afghanistan.[10] Another 40 militants were killed in air raids on militant hideouts in North Waziristan. "Precision air strikes destroyed five terrorists' hideouts as well as ammunition dumps in village Nawe Kili and Zaram Asar in an area north of Dattakhel", ISPR said. "Many foreigners were among those killed in the air strikes", it added.[137]
18 September 2014
23 militants were killed in airstrikes on militant hideouts. "Today in precise aerial strikes carried out on terrorists hideouts in Zerom, Ismail Khel, and Datta Khel in North Waziristan, 23 terrorists were killed," said ISPR.[138]
20 September 2014
TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid confirmed that a senior Commander Gul Hasan Afghani was killed in clashes with the Pakistan Army in the Boya area of the agency two days ago.[139] At least three militants were killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces in Boya area of the North Waziristan, the ISPR said. A Pakistan Army's naib subedar Muzzamil was also killed during the fire exchange.[140]
23 September 2014
A suicide attack targeted the convoy of Frontier Corps Deputy Inspector General killed at least five people in Peshawar Cantonment including a Soldier and wounded 18 others. FC soldier NK Zareen Afridi was among those who embraced martyrdom .The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.[141]
Twenty-three militants were killed in airstrikes in the Bangidar area of Ghulam Khanx in North Waziristan Agency, according to an ISPR press release.[142] According to ISPR reports, nineteen militants were killed in air strikes on militant hideouts in Dandi Kachkol near Ghulam Khan, Gurbaz and Mana near Pasht Ziarat in North Waziristan.[143]
28 September 2014
At least 15 militants were killed when Pakistan air force jets struck militant hideouts in North Waziristan. Foreign militants were also among the dead. Five militant hideouts were also destroyed.[144]

October

3 October 2014
Fifteen militants were killed by airstrikes in the Jamrud and Bara areas of Khyber Agency, and three militant hideouts were destroyed, ISPR said in a press-release. Over 1,200 militants had been killed in the operation so far.[145]
5 October 2014
Despite the upcoming winter, the Pakistani military decided to continue the operation, dispelling an impression that the harsh weather may force military authorities to halt Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which has been ongoing since mid-June 2014. "Conducting operation in winters is certainly a challenge for the security forces but it is also a challenge for militants," a military official told the media.[146]
12 October 2014
At least 11 militants were killed in military airstrikes targeting two militant hideouts in North Waziristan. In separate airstrikes in the Khyber Agency's Kuki Khel area, at least 10 militants were killed. Three militant hideouts were also destroyed, said an ISPR statement.[147]
15 October 2014
Five people were killed and seven were injured in a suicide attack targeting members of a peace committee, in the Peer Mela area of Tirah valley.[148]
16 October 2014
In an apparent response to the previous day's suicide bombing, 21 suspected terrorists were killed in airstrikes in the Khyber Agency's Tirah Valley, the Pakistani military said. Five terrorist hideouts were also destroyed.[149]
17 October 2014
Eight militants were killed in the Aka Khel area of Khyber Agency, in clashes with Pakistani security forces. A militant hideout was also destroyed during the clashes.[150]
21 October 2014
28 militants, including foreign militants, were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan.[151]
22 October 2014
DG ISPR Asim Bajwa, addressing the media after a friendly cricket match was played between the IDPs, accompanied by star cricketer Shahid Afridi and the Pakistani Army, said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is going well, and that 1,100 militants have been killed so far. He refused to give a specific timeline of the operation's completion, and said that the army is working towards making a "comprehensive plan" to rehabilitate them.[152]
25 October 2014
18 militants were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Khyber Agency's Khyber district near the Afghan border.[153]
27 October 2014
Pakistani officials claimed to have found evidence of "new sanctuaries" set up by the TTP and its affiliates in the Afghan territory, near the border with North Waziristan Agency.[154] In two separate incidents of aerial strikes, 33 militants were killed and nine militant hideouts were destroyed, according to the ISPR. "In early morning aerial strikes ahead of Dattakhel, 18 militants were killed. Later, in Gharlamai area another 15 militants were killed by gunship helicopters," the ISPR statement added.[155]
29 October 2014
Twenty militants were killed, and eight others were injured in airstrikes conducted by the Pakistan Air Force in the Akka Khel area of the Khyber Agency.[156]

November

6 November 2014
"Operation Zarb-e-Azb has helped disrupt Haqqani network's ability to launch attacks on Afghan territory", a senior commander for US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson said in a Pentagon-hosted video briefing from Afghanistan. He added that the Haqqani network was now fractured too.[157]
14 November 2014
Thirty militants including foreigners were killed in air strikes on militant hideouts in Datta Khel.[158]
16 November 2014
27 militants including foreigners and commanders were killed in air strikes in Datta Khel militant hideouts. Last night, seven suspected terrorists were also killed during a search operation in Datta Khel. In the exchange of fire, three Pakistani soldiers were also killed while four were injured. "The Haqqani network and East Turkistan Movement have been eliminated from the area", commander of Operation Zarb-e-Azb Major General Zafarullah Khan said. He added that 1,198 terrorists were killed and another 356 were injured so far.[159]
25 November 2014
Twenty terrorists, including members of the Haqqani network were killed in aerial strikes in North Waziristan.[160]

December

2 December 2014
32 militants, including foreigners, were killed in airstrikes in Datta Khel and Orakzai regions. In another incident, Pakistani military repulsed a pre-dawn militant attack on a military check post in the Sherin Dara area of Orakzai Agency.[161]
3 December 2014
Fifteen militants were killed in aerial strikes targeting militant hideouts in North Waziristan.[162]
6 December 2014
Pakistani special forces killed al Qaeda commander Adnan Gulshair el Shukrijumah. Several other militants were also killed during a targeted operation in the Wana subdivision of South Waziristan Agency. During the fore exchange, a Pakistani soldier Havildar Masood was also killed while another was critically injured.[163]
8 December 2014
Airstrikes killed 30 militants, including important commanders in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan. The killed were local commanders of Hafiz Gul Bahadur and his ally Sadiq Noor.[164]
9 December 2014
It was rumoured that Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a militant commander, was killed in air strikes in Datta Khel district of North Waziristan Agency. A compound where 30 to 40 top commanders of Gul Bahadur's Shura Mujahideen were having a consultative meeting, was targeted killing all of them.[165]
26 December 2014
Aerial strikes in Datta Khel killed 23 terrorists. An underground ammunition dump and tunnel system was also destroyed.[166]
31 December 2014
Pakistani air-strikes in the Shawal area of North Waziristan killed 23 terrorists.[167]

2015

January

7 January 2015
Twelve militants were killed as gunship helicopters targeted militant hideouts in Datta Khel. In the air-strikes, four militant hideouts and seven vehicles were also destroyed.[168]
16 January 2015
Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said security forces have killed 2,000 militants in North Waziristan so far. Bajwa added that 200 soldiers had been killed during the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and 800 others were injured.[169]
25 January 2015
35 militants, including foreigners, were killed in air strikes targeting militant hideouts in Datta Khel.[170]
27 January 2015
76 militants including foreigners were killed in the Pakistani air-strikes targeting militant hideouts in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan. 53 militants were killed in the first round and 23 militants were killed in the second round of the air-strikes. Six militant hideouts and an ammunition dump was destroyed.[171]

February

20 February 2015
A Pakistan Army Major Zahid Shaheed was killed in Datta Khel with a sniper rifle. In Pakistani retaliation, 5 terrorists were killed.[172]

April

22 April 2015
At least 35 militants were killed in aerial strikes in South Waziristan and Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, according to ISPR.[173]

May

23 May 2015
Four Pakistani soldiers were killed and two others were injured in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency at night after their vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device. In Pakistani counter-retaliation, the military launched a search-operation killing seven militants in the pursuing fire-exchange.[174]

June

28 June 2015
23 militants were killed in the Pakistani military air-strikes in the North Waziristan and Khyber agencies. Foreign militants were also among those killed in strikes which also targeted ammunition dumps.[175]

July

5 July 2015
Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in the Taliban attacks in North and South Waziristan. in Pir Ghr, Taliban attacked a Pakistani military convoy and killed two soldiers and wounded another three. Another two remote-controlled bomb attacks targeting military vehicles in North Waziristan and South Waziristan killed five soldiers and injured six. According to the Pakistani intelligence officials, the Pakistani military was facing fierce resistance in the final push towards
Shawal valley.[176] In the pursuing fire-exchange and military's retaliation, 12 militants were killed in Datta Khel in the North Waziristan agency.[177][178]
7 July 2015
A Pakistani soldier was killed in Taliban attack on an army bunker in the South Waziristan agency.[179]

August

September

October

November

December

2016

January

February

March

April

On 3 April, the Pakistani government declared victory and the end of the operation after clearing 640 square kilometers in Shawal, killing some 250 terrorists.[180]

May

Pakistan clears last militant stronghold

North Waziristan Agency

June

July

August

September

October

November

  • 1 November 2016:

Pakistan Army major was killed and six soldiers injured in a roadside IED explosion in South Waziristan Agency

December

2017

January

February

See also: Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad
  • 12 February 2017: 3 FC Personnel killed in South Waziristan IED Explosion

American drone strikes

Main article:
List of drone attacks in Pakistan

Drone strikes, which were halted for six months at the request of the Pakistani government, resumed for the operation. The following drone strikes took place during the operation:[181]

In 2014

In 2015

In 2016

In 2017

Yearly Progress

External videos
video icon Zarb-i-Azb: In patriotic video, ISPR salutes soldiers as saviours
video icon Farhan Saeed pays tribute to Pakistan Army in latest music video

On 13 June 2015, the Pakistani military reported progress in the operation in the course of a year. DG ISPR Asim Saleem Bajwa reported that 2,763 militants had been killed so far, including 218 terrorist commanders in 9,000 intelligence based operations (IBOs). "Some 837 hideouts of terrorists have been destroyed and 253 tonnes of explosives recovered so far during the operation", he said. The Army also recovered 18,087 weapons, including

martyrdom", he added.[205][206] The year 2015 was declared to be "a year of victory" and the operation itself a "manifestation of the resolve to root out terrorism in the country" by the Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.[207]

Final phase

It's a matter of great privilege and honor to be commanding such an accomplished and battle hardened Army, We will not stop unless we achieve our end objective of a terror free Pakistan.

One and a half years after the start of Zarb-e-Azb, phenomenal successes were achieved, with the last pockets close to the Pakistan-Afghan border being cleared. Terrorist backbone broken and structure dismantled. Nexus with sleeper cells largely disrupted. Intelligence based Operations (IBOs) busted remaining sleeper cells. 3,400 terrorists were killed, with 837 hideouts from where they were carrying out terrorist activities destroyed. During the last 18 months over 13,200 IBOs carried out across the country in which 183 terrorists were killed, 2,193 arrested. IBOs continue. 488 officers and men of Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps KPK, Baluchistan, Rangers Sindh were killed and 1,914 injured in Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Total 11 military courts. 142 cases referred to military courts. 55 cases decided, 87 cases in process. 31 terrorists convicted.[209][210] In July, the Pakistan Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif visited the military's forward-most positions near the Afghan border in North Waziristan[208] He was briefed about the progress and future plans for Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Sharif also visited South Waziristan and Wana agencies. It was reported that the Pakistani military had just completed the preliminary preparations for final phase. In the area around Shawal, peaks were cleared.[208]

Management of displaced civilians

As a result of the operation, 929,859 displaced civilians (from 80,302 families) were registered by Pakistani authorities as of 14 July.[3] Financial support, relief goods and food packages were being distributed[211][212] and 59 donation points were established across Pakistan by the army.[113]

On 10 July, the Foreign Office of Pakistan said that the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons was an internal matter and reiterated that Pakistan had not requested international assistance. "We have very clear instructions from the prime minister [to not seek external assistance], Pakistan has neither made nor intends to make a request for international assistance. It has been made very clear that all expenditure related to temporarily displaced Pakistanis will be met from our own resources", Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.[213] However, it was reported that the United States allocated $31 million for IDPs[211] and an additional $9.3 million for health, hygiene, water and sanitation for IDPs and livestock.[214] It was also reported that the United Arab Emirates government allocated $20.5 million in IDP humanitarian aid.[211] In February 2014, the Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told a visiting US Senator Jack Reed that the cost of the operation so far had reached Rs. 40 billion (US$140 million) and could go as high as Rs. 130 billion (US$450 million).[215]

Return of the IDPs

On 8 December 2014, the military approved the phased repatriation of the IDPs. The Pakistani army chief said the early return of the IDPs was his top priority. According to senior military officials, civilian authorities were directed to plan the return of the IDPs to their homes in areas which have been cleared of terrorists.[216] On 31 March 2015, the repatriation started. On the first day, 219 IDPs belonging to 62 families left Bannu for Spinwam and Shahmeri in North Waziristan. In the first phase until 24 April, about 1,200 families were to return to their homes in Sinwam, Shamiri, Mirali and Bubali areas of NWA. Each family was given Rs. 25000 (US$87) as cash assistance and Rs. 10000 (US$35) ( Dollar rate was 101 PKR in march 2015, adjusted in inflation it was $247 and $99 precisely) as transportation expenses at Mirzail. Food ration for six months and non-food items would also be given to each household. For effective disease control, children under five years of age were administered anti-polio vaccines and under 10 years of age were administered anti-measles vaccines.[217] As of 4 May 2015, only 230 displaced families had returned since the launch of the repatriation programme. "The civil administration can send entire displaced population back to their homes within a month if the area is de-notified as conflict zone," said an official dealing with IDPs repatriation. According to the official sources, the cut-off date for the return of IDPs was December 2016.[218]

Reaction

Domestic

Social media

The decision by the Pakistani military to launch a comprehensive operation was widely supported, with journalists, opinion-makers, politicians and other social-media users commending the operation.[219]

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf

PTI chairman Imran Khan endorsed the military operation in North Waziristan as it became clear that the Taliban were not seriously negotiating.[220] A week before, reiterating his party's stance on peace talks with militants, Imran said that an offensive in North Waziristan would unite militant forces against the Pakistani state. "Conducting such a military operation when most of the groups in NWA want talks is suicidal," Imran said in a statement, adding that most groups in North Waziristan desired peace talks with the government.[221] The PTI position changed as it became clear that negotiations were fruitless.[221]

Jamat-e-Islami

Jamat-e-Islami (JI), one of Pakistan's leading religious parties, continued to oppose any operation in North Waziristan. JI leader Siraj-ul-Haq urged the government to keep the option of negotiations with the Taliban.[222] He warned that a military operation in North Waziristan would trigger a massive human tragedy, saying that it was the duty of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to consider the views of the nation and its leadership (inside and outside Parliament) before making a crucial decision affecting national security.[223]

Muttahida Qaumi Movement

- According to Muttahida Qaumi Movement senator Babar Khan Ghauri, "This is a commendable decision by the government. We have been repeatedly telling the current government that instead of engaging the terrorists in dialogue, government should act against these elements. Karachi has a number of terrorists and it might suffer from a blow back; this should be tackled so Karachi does not have to suffer on account of this."[63] MQM head Altaf Hussain said, "I welcome this operation and I am glad that government is supporting the armed forces, those who have not backed the operation must realize that it is a matter of national security. I appeal to them to come on same page by setting aside their political compulsions." he said.[224][225]

Awami National Party

- Awami National Party (ANP) member Zahid Khan said, "We also held a dialogue previously (during our government) but that did not produce effective results. We wanted peace and we were okay if that came through dialogue but unfortunately that could not happen. This time, knowing from our experience, we had cautioned the government that [the] dialogue approach would not work. Government should have taken the parliament into confidence before launching the operation but it didn't."[63]

Local tribesmen

North Waziristan tribal elders assured their support for Operation Zarb-e-Azb, according to a statement released by ISPR director-general Major General Asim Bajwa. "Many tribal elders from around Miranshah, Mir Ali, Datta Khel assure support to army operation," Bajwa tweeted. "The tribesmen have assured the army that they would not let the militant to return to the area."[226]

Sunni Ulema Board

On 22 June 2014, more than 100

Islamic scholars issued a joint fatwa in support of the operation, calling it a jihad: "Crushing of the attempts to disrupt peaceful atmosphere in a Muslim state is jihad".[227]

International

  •  Afghanistan – Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Janan Mosazai stated that his government would provide "every possible assistance" to defeat the militants in the operation.[228]
  •  United Arab Emirates – Interior minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that his government would co-operate with Pakistan in the war against the extremists.[229]
  •  United Nations – In a statement, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated that as of 23 June more than 450,000 people were internally displaced from the war-torn region.[77] Other UN agencies, such as the UNHCR, agreed to provide tents and other facilities to the camps.[230] The World Health Organization (WHO) provided medicines and vaccines to the IDPs to avert a polio outbreak.[231]
  •  United States – The US supported military operations against Taliban militants, a spokesman from the US Embassy in Pakistan said on 16 June, and the US supported every Pakistani step taken for the establishment of peace.[232] The United States had pressured Pakistan for a military operation in North Waziristan for years, and the US Congress linked military assistance to Pakistan for the next fiscal year with military operations in North Waziristan in June 2014.[233] Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said that the Pentagon was unaware of Pakistan's decision to launch a new offensive in North Waziristan: "The Pakistan military and the government understand the threat, and they continue to go after that threat."[32][234] On 5 November 2014, Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, a senior commander for US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, said in a Pentagon-hosted video briefing from Afghanistan that the Haqqani network is now "fractured" like the Taliban. "They are fractured. They are fractured like the Taliban is. That's based pretty much on the Pakistan's operations in North Waziristan this entire summer-fall," he said, acknowledging the effectiveness of Pakistan's military offensive. "That has very much disrupted their efforts in Afghanistan and has caused them to be less effective in terms of their ability to pull off an attack in Kabul," Anderson added.[235]
  •  China –
    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that terrorism was a problem common to China and Pakistan, since militants were the enemy of both countries, adding that China fully supported the operation.[236]
  •  Russia – Chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin commended the operation, while the Pakistani Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif was on an official visit to Russia. "We will stand by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and extremism for stability in the region. Our relations are independent, more consistent and will further grow," he added.[237][238][239][240]

TTP retaliation

Lahore

Main article: 2014 Wagah border suicide attack

On 2 November 2014, a suicide bombing following the daily parade took place at Wagah border in Pakistan, more than 55 killed and over 200 injured.[241] The attack was claimed by militant groups jamaat-ul-Ahrar and jundallah, sub-groups of TTP.

Peshawar

Main article:
2014 Peshawar school attack

On 16 December 2014, seven gunmen belonging to the

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Mohammad Omar Khorasani, took the responsibility for the attack and said it was revenge for Operation Zarb-e-Azb.[246]

State's Counter-retaliation

Main article: Targeted killings of TTP terrorists by Pakistan Armed Forces and police encounters in Pakistan

Responding to TTP's retaliatory attacks,

high-value detainees
convicted on a terrorism charges were hanged.

Since December 2014, Pakistan's

safe house in Manghopir area of Karachi and killed five members of the TTP in a deadly shoot out.[248]

On 22 December 2014,

South Asian chapter who are suspected of planning an attack on a naval dockyard in Karachi
in September.

Acting on a

Pakistan government official confirmed the report.[250]

On 9 January 2015, the

police encounter in Lahore.[252]

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