ISLAMABAD, April 18 (Xinhua)-- Pakistan Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif, announced on Monday that the successful completion of operation against militants in difficult mountainous terrain in North Waziristan tribal region, the military said.
Militants who had fled major towns in the region as the result of a major offensive, were hiding in Shawal valley in the inaccessible and rugged mountains.
Hundreds of troops, backed by fighter jets, had started the final phase of the operation earlier this year after clearing over 90 percent of North Waziristan that was once considered the stronghold of the Pakistan Taliban and their foreign allies.
The army chief visited Shawal and reviewed progress of the last phase of operation and spent whole day with troops busy in eliminating terrorists from their last bastion, close to Pak-Afghan Border, the army spokesman said.
"Lauding the successful completion of Shawal Operation, the COAS (Chief of the Army Staff) acknowledged exceptional achievements, courage, determination and sacrifices of troops in achieving the objectives," the spokesman said in a statement. He, however emphasised on consolidating the gains.
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