Director General (DG) Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa briefed the media has about military operation Zarb-e-Azb against the militants.
This he said while briefing the media on progress made during Zarb-e-Azb here Thursday.
DG ISPR said, “The salient operational guidelines for this military operation were it would be an indiscriminate operation, to avoid collateral damage and be mindful of human rights.”
Asim Bajwa said, “Terrorism was rampant before launch of Zarb-e-Azb in 2014.” He added that there were about 311 IED blasts, 74 attacks, and 26 suicide attacks.
Presence of militants in Afghanistan is a challenge for Pakistan, he said.
General Bajwa said peace in the region was restored after huge sacrifices made by the armed forces.
He added that 168 combing operations were conducted to apprehend the terrorists in the country.
“Our security personnel entered North Waziristan and Khyber Agency to destroy terrorist hideouts. 992 hideouts were destroyed, 253 tonnes explosives were recovered, and 7599 ammunition factories were destroyed,” he added.
He claimed that Swat has regained its previous status of tourist heaven in Pakistan. “I assure you that Swat and other areas have turned into Switzerland and Paris.”
About border management with Afghanistan, he said gates will be installed at all 18 crossing points of Pak-Afghan border.
About Temporary Displaced People (TDPs), the DG ISPR said 66 per cent of the people have returned to their homes.
Bajwa said Daesh, after its inception from Middle East, tried to make inroads in Pakistan by joining different groups.
“The reverse process has begun now as Pakistani society has refused to accept the militant phenomena,” he said.
Bajwa said those who changed their loyalties and joined Daesh were involved in several attacks including on media houses, security forces and sensitive installation
