A Story of Success against terrorism; How Pakistan defeated terrorism through operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Events leading to Operation Zarb-e-Azb & how Pakistan gave a final chance to TTP for peaceful end of hostilities.

In 2014, peace negotiations with TTP were announced by then PM Nawaz Sharif, although previous attempts to engage TTP in dialogue had failed. In an address to the National Assembly on 29 Jan 2014, he stated that terrorism must be defeated either by talks or force and he was giving peace a last chance. The government announced its negotiating team first. TTP announced their five-member team on 1 Feb 2014.

They did not name any representatives from their ranks and instead nominated four pro-Taliban politico-religious figures to present their views. The fifth nomination was Imran Khan (current PM) which caused a lot of comment. A spokesman for the TTP Shahidullah Shahid, told Agence France-Presse news agency: "The Committee members will hold talks with their interlocutors in the government's team on our behalf and put forth our point of view."

The first session of talks was held on 6 Feb 2014 at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad between the two negotiating teams and lasted for about four hours. The TTP's negotiating team comprised of three persons out of the five nominated earlier. These were Maulana Sami ul Haq, Maulana Abdul Aziz and Professor Ibrahim Khan of Jamaat-e-Islami.

TTP called for implementation of Sharia in Pakistan; the Government of Pakistan demanded the cessation of hostilities, insisting that talks be held within the framework of the Pakistan's constitution and it's scope be limited to the insurgency affected areas. Negotiations suffered a set back after the execution of 23 FC soldiers by TTP on 17 Feb 2014. The soldiers had been held by the TTP since 2010. On 1 March 2014, TTP announced a month-long ceasefire aimed at reviving the stalled peace talks, which was considered to be a positive development by the government.

On 8 June, negotiations were irreversibly damaged by a terrorist attack on Karachi Airport for which the TTP claimed responsibility. 34 people were martyred including personnel of the security forces and all ten terrorists. Reports of beheading of FC soldiers, locals and others by TTP were frequently received from Waziristan. Suicide bombings in major cities were traced back to North Waziristan, mainly to Miranshah and surrounding areas where presence of suicide bombing compounds were reported. In some clips which surfaced on social media, TTP was seen dragging dead bodies of some unknown people behind cars in Miranshah Bazar by tying their feet with ropes. In first half of 2014, the average death toll of innocent people at the hands of TTP had increased, with bomb blasts in different cities of Pakistan after regular intervals; all of which were trace back to North Waziristan.

Start of Operation

On 15 June 2014, Government of Pakistan announced the end of cease fire and launch of a major military operation named "Zarb-e-Azb". The aim of the Operation was to eliminate this last bastion of terrorists from Pakistani soil and was named after one of the swords of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which literally means, "Strike of the Sword Azb".

The combat troops encircled terrorists core areas in towns of Mir Ali, Miranshah & Boya-Degan. Last mentioned used to be known as the Pentagon of Terrorists. The Operation was conducted primarily by ground troops of Pakistan Army supported by artillery, armour & combat aviation.

15 June 2014, was a historic and proud day for Pakistan. On that day was launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb; national endeavour undertaken by the Pakistan Army with the full support of the entire nation.

Flag that is meant to keep waving till doom's day.

The first phase of the operation began by targeting militant training facilities, hideouts and other infrastructure in North Waziristan. Hideouts in Boya-Degan and Datta Khel were targeted, since foreign and local insurgents linked to the Karachi airport attack were confirmed to be present there; an ammunition dump was also destroyed. As many as 140 militants (mostly Uzbek) were reportedly killed, including the mastermind of the Karachi airport attack Abu Abdur Rehman Almani. North Waziristan's borders with neighbouring tribal agencies were sealed by physical deployment of troops so as to block the movement of terrorists. Troops cordoned off the terrorists bases (including those in the towns of Mir Ali and Miranshah).

Flag with its care taker

Surrender points were established for terrorists wishing to give up their arms. Aerial surveillance of the area was conducted. Afghan security forces were requested to seal the border on their side to prevent milltants from escaping across the border. After Miranshah was brought under control, a ground offensive was launched in Mir Ali (second-largest town in North Waziristan) and the nearby Boya-Degan areas. The operation proceeded as planned and by 19 July 2014, the terrorist's command and control system in North Waziristan had been destroyed. By 3 September 2014, Pakistan Armed Forces had cleared 88 Kilometres stretch of road Khajuri-Mirali-Miranshah-Dattakhel and Road Ghariom-Hallar. Major towns of Miranshah, Mirali, Boya, Degan and Dattal Khel areas which were considered the core strongholds of terrorists were also cleared.

Resilient Forces of Pakistan Army

The initial phase of Operation Zarb-e-Azb was a resounding success in all its dimensions. By December 20 15, ISPR summed up the situations as,

"One and a half years after the launching of operation Zarb-e-Azb, phenomenal success has been achieved. Last pockets close to Pak-Afghan border being cleared. Terrorists back bone broken. Main infrastructure dismantled. Nexus with sleeper cells largely disrupted. Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) continue to bust remaining sleeper cells. 3400 terrorists killed. 837 hideouts from where they were carrying out terrorist activities destroyed. 488 officers and soldiers were martyred and 1914 injured in Operation Zarb-e-Azb."

These are some of the recoveries made during Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Most of these weapons, IEDs/bombs, ammunition etc were recovered from Miranshah Bazar, which had huge compounds to store these. TTP used the same for their terrorist activities and blasts in different cities.

243 tons of explosives enough to make IEDs/bombs for 15 years were recovered during Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan. Here is one such IEDs making factory of TTP in Miranshah, North Waziristan.

Operation Zarb-e-Azb was a game changer for Pakistan. Terrorism was defeated after this operation. The biggest and last stronghold of terrorists (North Waziristan) was cleared from their control. Areas till Shawal were recaptured & state's writ was established.

It was one of the most daring of operations Pakistan Army has ever conducted, reason being the well established network of TTP in North Waziristan. They had fortified major villages & mountain tops to sustain the recapture efforts of army.

Battle in Khaisur, Mir Ali & Miranshah was the deadliest at the initial stages. Foothold at Datta Khel was established after a lot of sacrifices by the young soldiers and officers. Bazars of Mir Ali & Miranshah saw pitch battles. The underground tunnels and IEDs was a major challenge for the leading bomb disposal teams. Even the doors of compounds were converted into IEDs / bombs. The mountain tops were secured with mines (bombs) which they had brought from Afghanistan.

Tons of explosives, gigantic cache of ammunition and weapons was recovered from terrorists' hideouts, mostly in Mir Ali and Miranshah Bazars. Those cache included each and every sophisticated weapon which weren't even in possession of SSG. Even Humvees were recovered.

The terrorists were pushed towards the Durand border, towards Shawal Valley, which was another challenge for Pakistan Army. Eventually, our troops didn't stop and cleared those mountain tops of Shawal Valley as well during Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Pakistan, with its resolve and determination cleared all terrorists and their hideouts and provided a safer future for their coming generations.

Pakistan Army Zindabad.
Pakistan Paindabad.