By Shannon Tiezzi
Pakistan’s operation Zarb-e-Azb will target anti-China terrorists along with domestic Pakistani terror groups.
A deadly attack at the Karachi airport has prompted the Pakistani government to strike back against terrorist groups based in the North Waziristan tribal region. The Pakistan Army launched operation Zarb-e-Azb on Sunday, targeting both domestic and foreign terrorists. Citing an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, Dawn reports that “at least 120 suspected militants” have been killed in the operation so far.
The announcement of operation Zarb-e-Azb came after overnight airstrikes reportedly killed 50 foreign militants. Zarb-e-Azb will involve more than just air-strikes, however; 25,000 to 30,000 troops are expected to take part, according to a security official interview by Dawn. The statement from ISPR left no doubt as to the end goal of the operation: “Our valiant armed forces have been tasked to eliminate these terrorists regardless of hue and color, along with their sanctuaries,” ISPR Director General Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa was quoted as saying. He added, “these enemies of the state will be denied space anywhere across the country.” According to the Associated Press, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has also expressed strong support for the operation on Pakistani television, calling it a “do-or-die war.” “We will fight it till the end,” Asif promised.
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