183 hardened terrorists among 3,400 killed in Zarb-e-Azb: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Sharing successes achieved thus far since the inception of Operation Zarb-a-Azb 18 month ago, DG ISPR Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa on Saturday said 3,400 terrorists including 183 ‘hardcore’ ones were killed so far.

In messages posted on Twitter, he said during the one and half years of the major military offensive launched against terrorists, phenomenal successes have been achieved.

Bajwa said support of the entire nation for its valiant armed forces and resolve expressed against terrorism after the Army Public School (APS) attack on December 16 last year had been the bed rock of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Overall improvement in security and law and order situation was owed to the operation, said the DG ISPR, adding that festivities and national events were being celebrated and stability has been achieved through the operation.

“Last pockets close to Pak-Afghan border are being cleared. Terrorists’ backbone has broken. Main infrastructure has been dismantled. Nexus with sleeper cells largely disrupted. Intelligence based operations (IBOs) continue to burst remaining sleeper cells.”

The head of Pakistan Army’s media wing said a total of 837 terrorists hideouts were destroyed, adding that in total 13,200 IBOs carried out across the country, 21,193 terrorists were also arrested.

The DG ISPR however said that the success came at a heavy price as 488 valiant officers and men of Pakistan Army, FC KP and Balochistan and Rangers Sindh sacrificed their lives while 1,914 were injured during the operation.

He said a total of 142 cases were referred to 11 military courts established in line with the National Action Plan (NAP). 87 of these cases were still in process while 55 have been decided by the military courts, in which he added 31 hardcore terrorists were convicted.

A glimpse of some of Weapons,ammunition,explosive and communication equipment recovered during Op Z-e-A pic.twitter.com/6D64feIfmS

— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) December 12, 2015