Indian army foils Pakistani efforts to dig underground tunnel for infiltration

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As Indian army plugs the holes on the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan is digging secret underground tunnels to explore alternative routes for pushing in infiltrators into Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to keep the terror mills grinding in the restive state.

Indian army recently discovered an under construction tunnel on the LoC in Jammu division which originated from the Pakistani side. With a length of the 130 to 150 meters and four feet high, the tunnel was drilled 20 feet deep inside the ground along the LoC.

"Having failed to infiltrate terrorists across the Line of Control in the Jammu division, there was an attempt to construct a tunnel across the Line of Control," said a defence spokesman at Jammu.

The tunnel was discovered when Indian army noticed a depression on the ground during the routine patrol on the LoC. Troops got suspicious and informed the higher ups about the sinking of earth.

"After investigating with ground penetrating radar and other equipment, they discovered that the tunnel was approximately 20 feet below ground level and was four feet high," said the defence spokesman.

With the timely detection of the tunnel, the Indian army has thwarted major terror plans of Pakistani militants. "The alert Indian Army personnel deployed along the Line of Control in the sector thwarted the nefarious designs of the terrorists and prevented major terror incidents by discovering the tunnel before it could be completed," said the spokesman.
This is second time in the last two years that security forces have discovered underground tunnels on the borders in Jammu division.

Pakistani efforts to explore new infiltration routes were foiled in July 2012 when Border Security Force (BSF) discovered 400 meter long and 25 feet deep underground tunnel originating from the Pakistani side on the Indo-Pak international border in Samba sector of Jammu division.

Meanwhile, security forces gunned down three militants who were holed up in a house in Hanjan village of Rajpora area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

"All the militants belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit," said Tejinder Singh, superintendent of police, Pulwama.

The gun battle started on Monday night after security forces received inputs about the presence of militants in the area. Police said when the area was being cordoned off the ultras opened fire on the forces triggering an encounter. The gun battle ended this afternoon after all the three ultras were killed.

Army rushes more troops as Pakistan intensifies cross-border shelling in Jammu & Kashmir

TNN | Aug 23, 2014, 10.59PM IST

A woman displays a mortar shell allegedly fired on a residential area from the Pakistan side of the border in Ranbir Singh Pura region, about 35km from Jammu, on August 23, 2014. (AP photo)

NEW DELHI/JAMMU: ​The Indian Army has rushed more troops towards the line of control and the international border as Pakistani troops have intensified cross-border shelling in Jammu & Kashmir, Times Now reported. The report also said senior generals are also visiting the area to oversee the redeployment of troops in affected areas.

Earlier on Saturday, defence minister Arun Jaitley said ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir across the international border (IB) and the line of control (LoC) have increased in recent months.

He also said Indian forces are responding effectively to protect the country's interests. According to Times Now, there have been over 20 ceasefire violations in the past two weeks.

Talking to reporters in Visakhapatnam at the commissioning function of antisubmarine warfare corvette INS Kamorta into the Navy, Jaitley said, "This is a fact that of late, these ceasefire violations by Pakistan have increased. But let everybody be assured that both our Army and BSF, who are respectively guarding the line of control and the international border, are fully vigilant."

Arun Jaitley says India is effectively responding to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

"They effectively respond to each violation and I have full faith and the country must have full faith that they are effectively protecting both our territory and national interest," he added.

His comments come on a day when Pakistani troops indulged in heavy "unprovoked" shelling and firing on 22 border outposts and 13 villages, killing two civilians and injuring six others including a Border Security force jawan along the international border in Jammu sector.

Ceasefire violation by Pakistan kills 2 civilians

The BSF said Pakistan Rangers opened a heavy round of fire in the early hours of Saturday morning and targeted at least 22 Border Security Forces posts in Arnia and RS Pura sector in Jammu district.


Villagers gather near the bodies of those killed in cross-border firing by Pakistani troops at Jeiora village in the RS Pura sector near Jammu, on August 23, 2014. (AFP photo)

"Pakistan Rangers resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing of automatic weaponry on at least 22 border outposts (BoPs) and also civilian areas along IB in Arnia and Ranbir Singh Pura sub-sectors of Jammu district from 12.30am (0030hrs) hours today (Saturday). Initially, the BSF observed restrain but later heavy firing prompted retaliation using similar calibre of arsenal and exchange of fire lasted till 7am (0700hrs)," a BSF official said.

"The fire from heavy to medium machine gun and mortar shelling injured six people including one BSF constable while a father and his minor son died when a mortar shell exploded on the roof of their hutment in Jora farm locality near the India-Pakistan Border, the BSF official added.

The deceased have been identified namely as Akram Hussain, s/o Shah Din and his minor son Aslam, while three other family members namely Kari Bibi mother of Akram, Bibi, w/o Akarm and son Yunus, 3, were injured when a Pakistani shell exploded inside their house at Jora farm, official sources said adding, "One BSF constable namely Shri Krishan, s/o Hem Singh of Uttrakhand presently posted with 192 BSF bn also sustained bullet injuries."

The injured were rushed to Government Medical College & Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu where they are being treated.


An injured BSF jawan is treated at the Government Medical College & Hospital in Jammu after heavy firing from the Pakistan side in RS Pura sector, on August 23, 2014. (PTI photo) 

This was the heaviest unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling by Pakistan Rangers this year along the IB in Jammu frontier in violation of the ceasefire agreement November 2003. Prior to this, Pakistan also violated the ceasefire on August 17/18 in Arnia Subsector and RS Pura Sector along the IB in Jammu targeting at least 20 Indian posts by heavy firing using small arms, automatics and mortars in which a civilian got injured while two houses damaged and two cattle were killed and six injured in Trewa village of Arnia.

Heavy Pakistan firing at forward posts and civilian areas along International Border has triggered panic among the people living there and Saturday's shelling left people adversely affected in forward villages of Sia, Jora farm, Treva, Nikowal, Abdullian, Korotana, Korotana Khurd, Vidhipur and Vidhipur Jattan.

When contacted, divisional commissioner, Jammu, Shant Manu said, "People from three/four villages numbering thousands have been shifted to safer places while many of the youth and males preferred to live at their respective places."


Kali Bibi (centre), 40, a villager who was injured during cross-border firing by Pakistani troops at the RS Pura sector, is tended to by relatives while recuperating at the Government Medical College & Hospital in Jammu, on August 23, 2014. (AFP photo)

He said they (people) have been evacuated by the district administration in view of their safety and were housed in safe shelters and government buildings identified by the district administration to protect civilians from Pakistani firing as a part of the contingency plan.

He also added that the administration and police official were camping in RS Pura and have made arrangements for accommodating the border villagers.

Fear of cross-border tunnel near LoC?

The Indian Army found a secret tunnel dug about 50 metres in the forward area of Chakla along Munawar Tawi in Pallanwalla sector of Jammu district after land caved in during the recent heavy rain in the area.

Sources said the tunnel was found some 50 metres inside the Indian side cutting across the border from Pakistan and it was detected during routine patrolling. Sources, however, added that the Army has cordoned off the area and even has not allowed senior police officials there.


A village woman points at holes made allegedly by gunfire from the Pakistan side of the border at Jora Farm village, in Ranbir Singh Pura region, about 35km from Jammu, on August 23, 2014. (AP photo)

However, Army authorities denied reports about the tunnel saying that no such tunnel was detected. "It was an ordinary ditch along (Bundh) the embankment, which had been washed away due to recent flash floods," they added.

Meanwhile, sources said, "This seems to be the new strategy adopted by Pakistan for facilitating the infiltration of militants because of alert troops along the LoC and IB successfully thwarting infiltration bids by intruders."

This is not the first instance that such a secret tunnel was exposed in the forward areas of Jammu region. A couple of years back, a tunnel dug about 500 metres inside the Indian territory from Pakistan was detected in Chichwal of Hiranagar sector.

On May 4, this year, the Border Security Force (BSF) authorities handed over a protest note to Pakistan Rangers over the tunnel issue which was detected in Samba District, near the International Border (IB), which is the latest alignment point of the 400-metre-long cross-border tunnel which was found in July 2012.

Past tunnels 

A caved-in portion of a 3X3 tunnel in Chillyari border belt in Samba District was found 23 metres away, inside Indian territory, from pillar number 170 on "Zero Line" at the international border when BSF took up clearing of the thick and tall bushes along the Zero-line.

This was believed to be the latest alignment point of the 400-metre-long cross-border tunnel which was found along the International Border in 2012.

Pertinent to mention here is the fact that a joint team of Geological Survey of India and BSF, during excavation, had unearthed total length of about 540 metres of tunnel, dug into the Indian side, cutting across Pakistan from the Zero Line on August 8, 2012.

This secret tunnel hit the media limelight after a local farmer detected it on the evening of July 27, 2012, while working in his field at Chichwal when he saw the land sunk at three straight points due to monsoon rains.


A soldier keeps watch near a hydropower project near the LoC at Uri in Jammu & Kashmir.

Before this, the Army had also detected a secret tunnel in August 4, 2009, when heavy rain led to caving in of this tunnel along the LoC in Pallanwala sector of Akhnoor.

This tunnel in J&K was believed to aid the infiltration of militants and the transport of ammunition from across the border and was intersecting the vicinity of Pakistan's Mango Post and the PP2 Post on the Indian side. The existence of the tunnel was discovered when interrogating a Lashkar terrorist captured from Kupwara.

If recalled, the commander of 16 Corps, Lieutenant General KH Singh had recently stated that about 150 to 200 militants were planning to infiltrate into the Indian territory from the LoC.

Pakistani SSG Commandos Ranked Among Top Ten Special Forces of World

August 6, 2014

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Almost all of the countries in the world form a special operations force within their militaries, in order to cope with any unprecedented threat or situation. Pakistan also has a special operations force, known as the Special Services Group (SSG), which was ranked among the ten best special forces of the world, by an international journal Armed Forces Museum.

Whether these are the dead-cold glaciers of Siachin or immeasurable depths of the sea, Pakistan’s SSG commandos never let their target escape. The SSG comprises of personnel from all the three military services, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air Force, who are trained extensively to deal with a kind of situation, never witnessed before and they have always kept up their reputation by not letting the country down under any circumstances.

These lion-hearted sons of the soil have always proven their metal during numerous covert and overt operation

According to the international journal ‘Armed Forces History Museum’, Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG) has got an edge over the special forces of several countries of the world due to its special operations, counter-terrorism, rescue of hostages, foreign as well as internal defense, direct action and for probing of sensitive matters.

The international journal declared Pakistan’s SSG to be at par with the US Green Berets and Britain’s SAS, which surely holds the capability of making possible, an impossible mission anywhere in the world.

Pakistan’s SSG known as the ‘Black Storks’ worldwide, is a division sized group headed by a Major-General and divided into ten battalions, the actual strength of which is classified.

The SAS of Britain topped the ranking, while US Navy SEAL Team 6 – DEVGRU secured the second slot, yet the war-fanatic Indian special force could not even come closer to the list.

The Armed Forces History Museum wrote:

This Pakistan Special Service Group (SSG) is also known as “Black Storks” a name derived from their unique headgear the “Maroon Beret”.  The SSG has ten specific missions for which they are trained:

Asymmetric Warfare

Special Operations

Counter-Proliferation

Unconventional Warfare

Foreign Internal Defense

Special Reconnaissance

Direct Action

Hostage Rescue

Counter-Terrorist

Personnel Recovery

This elite group from Pakistan is somewhat similar to the US Army’s Green Berets and the British Army’s SAS. They often conduct exercise missions with special forces from other countries such as China and the UK.

Below is the News Covered by the Dunya Newspaper:

Air Marshal Promoted

AIR MARSHAL SOHAIL GUL KHAN APPOINTED VICE CHIEF OF 

THE AIR STAFF, PAKISTAN AIR FORCE 

ISLAMABAD 07 AUGUST, 2014:- The Government of Pakistan has 

issued a notification to appoint Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan as Vice Chief of The 

Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force. 

Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force in 

1979 in GD (P) Branch. He is an accomplished Fighter Pilot and a qualified 

Flying Instructor. He is a graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, UK Staff 

College and National Defence University. His career has encompassed a wide 

range of operational, training and command assignments. He holds Master’s 

Degree in Defence Studies from Kings College UK and a Master’s Degree in 

Defence and Strategic Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad. 

During his illustrious career in PAF, he has commanded a Fighter Wing, 

Combat Commanders’ School, an Operational Air Base and Regional Air 

Command. He remained on various important command and staff appointments 

including Director General Air Force Strategic Command, Air Officer 

Commanding Northern Air Command, Director General Logistic Joint Staff 

Headquarters, and Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. 

He is also a recipient of Tamga-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) 

and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military). 

Three Air Vice Marshals Promoted

THREE AIR VICE MARSHALS PROMOTED 

TO THE RANK OF AIR MARSHAL 

ISLAMABAD 25 JULY, 2014:- The Government of Pakistan has 

promoted three Air Vice Marshals Saeed Muhammad Khan, Javaid Ahmed and 

Rashid Kamal to the rank of Air Marshal. 

Air Marshal Saeed Muhammad Khan was commissioned in Pakistan Air 

Force in GD (P) Branch in October, 1981. During his career, he has commanded a 

Fighter Squadron, a Fighter Wing and an Operational Air Base. He has served as 

Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration) at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. He has 

also served as Director General Media at Inter Services Intelligence Headquarters, 

Islamabad. Presently he is performing his duties as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff 

(Training) at Air Headquarters Islamabad. He is a graduate of Combat 

Commanders’ School, National Defence University and National Defence 

University. He is a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat. 

Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force in GD 

(P) Branch in October, 1981. During his career, he has commanded a Fighter 

Squadron, a Fighter Wing and an Operational Air Base. He has served as 

Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. Presently he is 

performing his duties as Chief Project Director JF-17 at Air Headquarters 

Islamabad. He is a graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, Air War College and 

National Defence University. He is a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military). 

Air Marshal Rashid Kamal was commissioned in Pakistan Air Froce in GD 

(P) Branch in October, 1981. During his career, he has commanded a fighter 

squadron, a fighter wing and an Operational Air Base. He also has served as 

Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Safety), Commandant College of Flying Training, 

PAF Academy Risalpur and Commandant National Security College at National 

Defence University Islamabad. Presently he is performing his duties as Air Officer 

Commanding PAF Academy Risalpur.He is a graduate of Combat Commanders’ 

School, National Defence University, and National Defence University. He is a 

recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military). 

Promotion Of Three Air Commodore

GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN PROMOTES THREE AIR COMMODORES TO THE RANK 

OF AIR VICE MARSHAL 

ISLAMABAD 23 JULY, 2014: Government of Pakistan has promoted Air 

Commodore Shahid Niaz, Air Commodore Asim Zaheer and Air Commodore 

Ahmar Shahzad to the rank of Air Vice Marshal. 

Air Vice Marshal Shahid Niaz was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force in 

January, 1984 in Engineering Branch. During his illustrious career, he has 

commanded an Electronics Wing. In his staff appointments he has served as 

Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Electronics Engineering) and Assistant Chief of 

the Air Staff (Networks). He is a graduate of National Defence University (NDU) 

and holds a Master’s degree in National Security and War Studies from NDU and 

MS in Signal Processing from China. He is also a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz 

(Military). 

Air Vice Marshal Asim Zaheer was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force in 

November, 1984 in GD (P) Branch. During his illustrious career, he has 

commanded a Fighter Squadron and an Operational Air Base. In his staff 

appointments he has served as Chief Project Director (CPD) Falcon at Air 

Headquarters Peshawar. He has also served as Air Attaché to France. He is a 

graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, Armed Forces War College and 

German General Staff College. He holds a Master’s degree in War Studies. He is 

also a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Basalat. 

Air Vice Marshal Ahmar Shahzad was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force 

in November, 1984 in GD (P) Branch. During his illustrious career, he has 

commanded a Fighter Squadron and an Operational Air Base. In his staff 

appointments he has served as Chief Project Director (CPD) Falcon at Air 

Headquarters Peshawar. He has also served as Air Attaché to USA. He is a 

graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, Armed Forces War College and 

Command & Staff College UK. He holds a Master’s degree in War Studies 

(AFWC) and a Master’s degree in Defence Studies (UK). He is a recipient of 

Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Legion of Merit (USA). 

"No Forces Bieng Sent To SAUDI ARABIA" General Asim Bajwa ISPR

In some sections of media it is being reported that troops of Pakistan Army are being sent to Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia and will be deployed there but all such reports are baseless and false. Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted that no troops are being sent to SaudiArabia and he also dismissed the false reports of some media sections.

Some sections in the Pakistani media have always published and presented false reports against PakistanArmed Forces and later on when such reports are dismissed by ISPR with proof then such media sections have been found guilty. In the last month it was also reported by media that civilians were killed in Shawal,North Waziristan by the bombing of Pakistan Air Force. Later this news was discovered to be false and the baseless allegations were dismissed.

Similar kind of reporting has been done by some sections of media in which they have said that Pakistan Army is sending its troops to Saudi Arabia in result of a deal. All these news are false and no troops are being sent to KSA. Pakistani media has started to mature but still some sections in the media are constantly targeting the Armed Forces and the Intelligence agencies of Pakistan which is certainly not acceptable.

By: Huzaifa Nazir

HAPPY INDEPENDECE TO ALL PAKISTANIS

LONG LIVE PAKISTAN

 LOVE YOU PAKISTAN

THANKYOU QAUID-E-AAZAM MUHAHAMMED ALI JINNAH FOR GIVING

THESE NEW GENERATION PAKISTANI PEOPLE A NEW & FREE COUNTRY TO LIVE WITH FREEDOM

COME PAKISTANI PEOPLE LETS LIVE WITH UNITY, FAITH AND DISCIPLINE

TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE THAT WE WILL NOT LET TEARS COME IN THE EYES OF OUR ELDERS WHO GAVE MANY SACRIFICES TO GIVE US A FREE COUNTRY PAKISTAN

Latest News About ZARB-E-AZB

This file photo taken on July 13, 2014 shows internally displaced civilians who fled a military operation against Taliban militants in the North Waziristan Agency, queuing outside the World Food Programme food distribution centre in Bannu. PHOTO: AFP

BANNU: When Pakistan Air Force jets bombed a village in North Waziristan last week, it was described as yet another victory over Taliban insurgents in an ongoing military offensive.

However, a counter-claim has emerged with some villagers alleging that there are civilians among the dead in that particular incident.

“Today early morning 35 fleeing terrorists were killed through aerial strikes in Shawal Valley,” said an ISPR statement on July 16.

The press statement was part of a regular series of updates sent out by the army since the operation in North Waziristan tribal district, aimed at clearing Taliban strongholds, began in mid-June.

Almost 500 militants are said to have been killed in the fighting so far, which has been enthusiastically backed by the country’s major political parties and media, who see it as a means of tackling a decade-long insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.

But the official toll has been impossible to verify, raising questions among rights activists over the offensive’s true human cost.

The alleged death of civilians has become a focus of rising anger among tribesmen who have managed to flee to border towns inside Pakistan, and who on Monday threatened to march on Islamabad if the operation does not end soon.

The bombardment in the Shawal Valley began just before 1:00 am, lighting up the sky as residents of Zoi Saidgai village sat down to eat their pre-dawn Ramadan meal.

“It continued for hours, targeting 11 houses,” Malik Mirzal Khan, an elder who claimed he lost his daughter and brother in the strikes, told AFP from a payphone in his village.

“A single bomb dropped from the plane blew up two mud houses and the explosions could be heard 30 kilometres away,” Khan, part of a high-level peace council that attempted to avert the government offensive before it began, said.

Noor Wali Khan, a 27-year-old truck driver, had similar claims to make.

However, the military has so far refused to comment on the matter on the record.

However, a senior security official speaking, requesting anonymity, has said those who were killed, if any, had plenty of warning to evacuate.

“If a terrorist is living with his family and does not abandon them even during the time of operation and we have solid ground intelligence about the terrorist and we target his hideout, what would you call it, collateral damage or what?” the source asked.

“If a terrorist is using his family as human shields what do you expect the military to do?”

Khan, the elder, said his village was never informed it would be a target.

“In the meetings with military and civil officials, we had been assured to stay home as our areas were declared safe and free from militant control,” he said, adding that he had conveyed the same message to the local population and had forbidden them from leaving their own houses.

According to the residents, no rescue officials were able to reach the remote area.

Wali Muhammad, a 28-year-old shopkeeper, said that the nature of Wednesday’s strikes meant the facts would eventually be known.

“You can’t cover up the sun with a finger,” he said, using a Pashto expression that roughly translates to: “The truth will come out”.

Some 500 villagers turned out for funeral prayers to mourn the dead.

In Bannu, where tribesmen held a jirga Monday, elders said the Shawal Valley attack was not an isolated incident. Malik Mirzal Khan, the elder from Shawal, demanded an investigation into the air strike

• • OPERATION ZARB-E-AZB

Operation Zarb-e-Azb (Urdu: آپریشن ضربِ عضب‎ ALA-LC: Āpres̱ẖan Ẓarb-i ʿAẓb pronounced [ɑːpreːʃən zərb-e əzb]) is a joint military offensive operation involving the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and armed insurgent groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al-Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and Afghan militant factions such as the Haqqani network. The operation was launched by the Pakistan Armed Forces on 15 June 2014 in North Waziristan (part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghan border) as a renewed effort against militancy in the wake of the 8 June attack on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, for which the TTP and the IMU claimed responsibility.^[14] Up to 30,000 soldiers are involved in the operation, described as a "comprehensive operation" to flush out foreign and local militants hiding in North Waziristan.^[15] It is part of the ongoing war in North-West Pakistan and thewar on terror.

The operation has received widespread support from the Pakistani political, defence and civilian sectors. The two largest Islamic clerical groups (the Pakistan Ulema Council and the Council of Islamic Ideology) declared a fatwa endorsing the offensive, calling it a jihad against terrorism.^[16][17][18]

Etymology[edit]

Zarb-e-Azb (Urdu: ضربِ عضب‎ ALA-LC: Ẓarb-i ʿAẓb pronounced [zərb-e əzb]) means "sharp and cutting strike".^[19] Azb also refers to the name of the sword belonging to the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which he used in the battles of Badr andUhud.^[20]

Background[edit]

Peace negotiations[edit]

Peace negotiations with the Taliban were announced by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after his election,^[21] although previous attempts to engage the Taliban in dialogue had failed. The first session of the talks, between committees appointed by the Government of Pakistan and the Taliban, was held on 26 March 2014 at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.^[22]The Taliban did not name representatives from their ranks, instead nominating pro-Taliban religious figures to present their views.^[21] The movement called for the implementation of Sharia in Pakistan; the Pakistani government demanded the cessation of hostilities, insisting that talks be held within the framework of the Constitution of Pakistan.^[21] A month-long ceasefire was reached between the government and the Taliban on 1 March 2014.^[23]

In addition to the meetings at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, negotiations involved helicopter travel by government representatives to the area near the Afghan border. The government had indicated that stronger military action would be implemented if the talks failed.^[22]

Failure[edit]

Negotiations collapsed after the execution of 23 Pakistani Frontier Corps soldiers by the Taliban on 17 February 2014.^[24][25]The soldiers had been held by the insurgents since 2010, and on 17 April 2014 the TTP formally ended the ceasefire.^[26]More than 90 militants have been killed by Taliban infighting since March 2014. The strife, triggered by differences between the Mehsud group (led by Sheheryar Mehsud) and another TTP faction (led by Khan Said Sajna), impeded the peace talks.^[27] The negotiations were irreversibly damaged by a terrorist attack on Karachi Airport for which the Taliban claimed responsibility and which killed 28 people (including security personnel).^[28][29] A Pakistani security official said, "The army is ready for an operation. It now all depends on the government to make a decision."^[30]

Jinnah Airport attack[edit]

Main article: 2014 Jinnah International Airport attack

The operation began one week after a terrorist attack on Pakistan's busiest airport. On 8 June 2014, 10 militants from the TTP and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan attackedJinnah International Airport in Karachi, killing 28 people (including the attackers) and wounding at least 18.^[28]

After the attack, the Pakistani military launched a series of aerial strikes on militant hideouts in the tribal areas along the Afghan border. At least 25 militants, including foreign fighters, were killed on 10 June.^[31] Two drone attacks on 12 June killed Uzbek, Afghan and local militants.^[32][33] On 15 June the Pakistani military intensified air strikes in North Waziristan and bombed eight foreign militant hideouts, killing as many as 140 militants (most Uzbek, including persons linked to the airport attack and airport attack commander and mastermind Abu Abdur Rehman Almani).^[34][35] The intensified aerial strikes in the wake of the attack were an extension of operations against militants conducted over the last few months.^[31]

Preparations[edit]

Using North Waziristan as a base, these terrorists had waged a war against the state of Pakistan and had been disrupting our national life in all its dimensions, stunting our economic growth and causing enormous loss of life and property. They had also paralyzed life within the agency and had perpetually terrorized the entire peace loving and patriotic local population.

Inter-Services Public Relations^[36][37]

The Pakistani military had prepared for the operation long before, and the government prepared for a three-front operation:^[38] isolating targeted militant groups, obtaining support from the political parties and saving civilians from the backlash of the operation.^[38]

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the nation stood by its army: "The decision was taken after the strategy of dialogue failed. The operation will continue until it reaches its logical conclusion. Any group that challenges Pakistan's constitution, attacks civilians, soldiers, and government installations and uses Pakistani territory to plan terrorist attacks will be targeted". Asif added that internally displaced persons would be assisted by the federal andKhyber Pakhtunkhwa governments: "We will try to ensure that the displaced do not have to stay away from their homes for too long."^[39]

Army troops encircled militant bases in the towns of Mirali and Miramshah. Afghan security forces were requested to seal the border on their side, officials said.^[40] The operation involved the Pakistan Air Force, artillery, tanks and ground troops. According to a military statement, "On the directions of the government, armed forces of Pakistan have launched a comprehensive operation against foreign and local terrorists who are hiding in sanctuaries in North Waziristan."^[40] An official with the military said that between 14,000 and 20,000 soldiers were normally stationed in North Waziristan before the operation, and he expected the offensive to require no more than a total of 30,000 troops.^[4]

Timeline[edit]

15 June

The first phase of the operation began with intensified airstrikes in North Waziristan, targeting militant training facilities, hideouts and other infrastructure.^[41] The Pakistani military destroyed eight militant hideouts in the previous night's airstrikes. Hideouts in Degan-Boya and Datta Khel were targeted by jet aircraft, since foreign and local insurgents linked to the Karachi airport attack were confirmed there; an ammunition dump was also destroyed. As many as 140 militants (mostly Uzbek) were reportedly killed in the strikes, including commander and airport attack mastermind Abu Abdur Rehman Almani.^[35][36][42] North Waziristan was sealed by troops on its border with neighbouringagencies and FATA regions to block the movement of militants. In North Waziristan, troops cordoned off insurgent bases (including those in the towns of Mir Ali and Miranshah).^[36] Logistical and administrative arrangements for IDPs were made by the Disaster Management Agency, with the establishment of registration points and IDP camps.^[36] Surrender points were established for militants wishing to give up their arms.^[36] Aerial surveillance of the area was conducted. Afghan security forces were requested to seal the border on their side to prevent militants from escaping across the border and initiate immediate measures to eliminate TTP militants and their hideouts in Kunar, Nuristan and elsewhere in Afghanistan.^[36]

16 June

Seven fleeing militants were killed on the outskirts of Mirali overnight, with three soldiers injured in the exchange of fire.^[42] In a separate incident, seven more militants were killed when they tried to flee from the cordoned-off area. Two Pakistani soldiers were reported killed in an exchange of gunfire.^[42][43]Six militant hideouts in Shawal, North Waziristan were destroyed by an early-morning airstrike by two fighter jets, with 27 militants killed. There were no civilians in Shawal.^[42][43][44] Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR) reported six soldiers killed and three injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion between the Afghan border and Ghulam Khan Tehsil in North Waziristan. According to ISPR, a convoy of security forces was targeted on Bane Dar Road in Ghulam Khan (on the Pakistani-Afghan border). Forces cordoned off the area, launching a search operation.^[42][43] Three insurgents were killed by Special Services Group sniper fire while planting IEDs near Miramshah.^[42]

17 June

Airstrikes destroyed six hideouts in North Waziristan, killing 25 foreign and local militants. Airstrikes were also conducted in the Hasokhel area of Mir Ali.^[45] At least three suspected militants were killed when they attempted to flee a cordoned-off area in Miramshah, with one soldier injured in the exchange of fire.^[45][46] No operations had begun in developed areas to ensure that no militants could escape the cordon and all verified civilians were evacuated.^[45] More than 40 percent of North Waziristan was cleared of militants in the first three days of the operation.^[47]

19 June

Fifteen militants were reportedly killed overnight in the Zartatangi Heights, east of Miramshah, by army Cobra helicopter gunships. The area was one of the main communications centres of the insurgents.^[48] In a separate incident, eight Uzbek militants were killed near Miramshah while planting IEDs on the road between Miramshah and Mir Ali.^[48] The evacuation of the civilian population from Miramshah and Ghulam Khan began. Checkpoints were established in a number of locations, where IDPs received food and medicine from security forces.^[48] As many as 400 Afghan families left North Waziristan for Afghanistan via Ghulam Khan.^[49]

20 June

Three militant hideouts in the Qutab Khel area, on the outskirts of Miramshah, were destroyed in the early morning by army Cobra helicopter gunships with artillery and sniper assistance. Twelve militants, including some foreigners, were killed in the strikes and a large cache of arms and ammunition destroyed.^[49] Militants inside cordoned-off areas attempted to flee. Six attempts were halted overnight, and three local residents without identification were arrested trying to flee from the cordon.^[49] Another 24 suspects disguised as IDPs were arrested at security checkpoints in Mirali and Miramshah.^[49] The civilian evacuation continued from North Waziristan towards Bannu, with 200,000 IDPs evacuated so far.^[49]

21 June

A total of 30 militants were killed in early-morning airstrikes in uninhabited areas of Khyber and North Waziristan Agencies. Jet aircraft destroyed two hideouts near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Agency, killing 10 militants. These surgical strikes were in line with the security forces' strategy to take on the militants across the FATA.^[50][51] Three hideouts were destroyed in Hassu Khel, North Waziristan, killing 20 militants.^[50]

23 June

Eight militant hideouts near Mir Ali were destroyed by jet aircraft during the early morning, killing 15. Tunnels were spotted in the targeted areas.^[52] Ten militants were killed attempting to flee from cordoned-off bases in Spinwam and Mir Ali, with two Pakistani soldiers also reportedly killed in an exchange of fire.^[52] The curfew was lifted for two hours to evacuate the remaining civilians. At the Saidgai security checkpoint, 414,429 IDPs were registered to date.^[52] An army medical corps field hospital was being established in Bannu for displaced persons.^[52] The civilian evacuation was almost complete. About 450,000 IDPs arrived in Bannu, and were registered at the Saidgai checkpoint.^[53][54]

24 June

Twenty militants were killed and 12 hideouts destroyed in early-morning air strikes in Khyber Agency.^[55]Twenty-seven militants were killed in afternoon jet strikes in Mir Ali and the surrounding area, with 11 hideouts and a large weapons cache destroyed.^[55] An afternoon suicide car-bomb attempt was foiled in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan. When an explosive-laden vehicle approached a checkpoint outside a civilian hospital, soldiers fired at the vehicle (which exploded 100 meters from the checkpoint. Two soldiers and one civilian were reportedly killed when the roof of a nearby building collapsed from the explosion.^[55]

25 June

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets destroyed five hideouts in Mir Ali, killing 13 militants.^[56] Twelve militants surrendered to Pakistani forces.^[56]

26 June

The evacuation of 450,000 civilians was completed, and the operation's second phase began with a ground offensive by the Pakistani military.^[41] Seven militants surrendered at the North Waziristan surrender center, bringing the total to 19.^[57][58]

27 June

PAF aircraft destroyed six confirmed hideouts on the outskirts of Mir Ali in an evening raid, killing 11 militants.^[57] TTP Miranshah Commander Umer was killed on the outskirts of the town by security forces that night.^[57]

28 June

Militant groups were targeted during the early morning by integrated Pakistani artillery, tank and heavy-weapons fire outside Miranshah, killing seven.^[57] An al-Qaeda commander, revealed by initial interrogation as an explosives, IED and suicide-belt expert, was arrested trying to flee from a surrounded base.^[57] Three militants were arrested by security forces while trying to cross the Indus River near Mianwali. All river crossings were fortified to seal escape routes.^[57]

29 June

Sixteen militants were killed when PAF fighter jets targeted their hideouts in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.^[59][60] According to military sources, seven militant hideouts, explosives and ammunition dumps were also destroyed in the airstrikes.^[59][60]

30 June

Early-morning ground operations began in and around Miramshah. Search operations were conducted by infantry and the Special Services Group, killing 15 militants. Troops discovered underground tunnels and IED-preparation factories in the cleared areas, with three soldiers reportedly injured in an exchange of fire. The civilian population had been evacuated.^[9] Since the beginning of the operation 376 militants were killed and 19 surrendered, with 61 hideouts destroyed in the operation's first phase. Seventeen soldiers were reportedly killed.^[9]

1 July

According to ISPR, during ground operations in Miranshah a land-mine factory was discovered and 225 cylinders, 700 pipes filled with explosive materials and 150 unfinishedland mines were recovered.^[61] Two Pakistani soldiers were killed and a third reportedly injured when militants ambushed a military vehicle in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.^[62][63][64]

2 July

Ten militants were killed when Pakistani helicopters shelled hideouts in the Khar Warsak region, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north of Miramshah, with three hideouts destroyed in the airstrikes.^[65]

3 July

The bodies of seven militants were recovered in the Darpa Khel area of Mir Ali. A security official reportedly said, "Bodies were of suspected militants who were gunned down by security forces in Mir Ali tehsil of the agency", adding that the forces had advanced from Mir Ali and Miramshah Bazaar towards the outskirts of the agency after destroying three hideouts in Mir Ali (one of which held foreign militants).^[66]

4 July

Pakistani soldier Niak Fiaz Mohammad was killed by an IED explosion during a house-to-house search operation in North Waziristan. Mohammed's funeral was held in Bannu before the soldier's body was transported to his hometown, Mansehra. ISPR director-general Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said, "We salute the courage and bravery of Niak Fiaz Shaheed."^[67] A Pakistani soldier from Azad Kashmir was killed in the Jord region of North Waziristan. The soldier, Sadheer Ismail from Malsi Ghari Dupatta, was buried in his family cemetery. Pakistan Army personnel attended Ismail's funeral, where friends praised his determination and resolve.^[68]

5 July

Airstrikes targeted Miramshah and the village of Boya, destroying five militant hideouts, caves and an ammunition cache. The early-morning strikes killed 20 militants, most of whom were reportedly Uzbeks.^[69] A Pakistani soldier was killed during the ground offensive that morning when an IED exploded.^[69]

6 July

Hundreds of Taliban fighters reportedly cut their hair and beards to flee the operation. According to IDPs, the Taliban disguised themselves in the weeks before the Pakistan Army operation. Although the militants advocated sharia in Pakistan and were contemptuous of Western culture, refugees said that in North Waziristan the militants enjoyed imported products.^[5][70]

7 July

Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited North Waziristan. Sharif was received by Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani, the Peshawar corps commander, and briefed by the general officer commanding for the operation. He commended the troops for their determination, commitment and resolve, praising the progress achieved since the beginning of the operation.^[71]

8 July

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in an interview with Radio Pakistan that 400 militants and 20 Pakistani soldiers had been killed so far in the operation. Although he declined to provide a time frame for the operation's end, he expressed a resolve to finish as early as possible.^[72] Airstrikes by the PAF killed 13 militants (including foreigners) in the Digaan area of North Waziristan, according to an ISPR press release. Seven militant hideouts were also destroyed.^[73][74]

9 July

Pakistani airstrikes targeted three hideouts, killing 11 militants in Shawal.^[75] Ground operations continued in Miramshah, which was 80-percent cleared.^[75]

10 July

The Pakistani army invited local and international media to Miramshah to observe the militant facilities. Flags, weapons and explosive materials were shown. ISPR Director Major General Asim Bajwa and Operation Commander Major General Zafar Khan briefed the media on the operation's progress. They said that as many as 400 terrorists were killed and another 130 injured to date. Eleven IED factories were uncovered, and over 2,000 IEDs confiscated. Bajwa said that underground tunnels built by the militants (one a kilometer long) had also been discovered: "This (Miranshah) was one of their major base, we have dislodged them from here and now they are on the run, We have also discovered their command and control centre, which would definitely affect their capabilities."^[76]

11 July

Injured Taliban commander Adnan Rashid, al-Qaeda commander Mufti Zubair Marwat and Marwat's two guards were captured by Pakistani security forces in the Shakai Valley of South Waziristan when they tried to escape from cordoned-off North Waziristan, and were moved to an undisclosed location by army helicopter. Marwat was reportedly the brother of Mufti Sajjad Marwat, an al-Qaeda spokesman for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rashid was planning to flee to Afghanistan.^[77] The arrest was confirmed by the TTP.^[78]

12 July

Thirteen militants, primarily foreign, were killed in an early-morning PAF airstrike after firing rockets at a security checkpoint in Mir Ali; seven hideouts and an ammunition cache were also destroyed.^[8][79] The connection of the cleared area in Miramshah and the Miramshah-Dattakhel road continued. In Khar Warsak and Zartangi, security forces discovered six motorcycle IEDs, two vehicle IEDs, two 12.7 mm guns, one 14.5 mm gun, three vehicles and eleven explosive belts during during the previous 24 hours. Two explosive-laden vehicles were also destroyed in airstrikes at Degan.^[8] Three militants, including one Uzbek, were arrested in Boya. Two suicide bombers were identified and chased, but they blew themselves up when encircled by security forces near the town.^[8] Eighteen militants were killed in PAF airstrikes in the Mosaki area, 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of Miramshah, and artillery shelling in the Kharkamar area, 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Miramshah. "Six terrorist hideouts and a huge ammunition cache were destroyed and at least 13 militants, mostly Uzbek, were killed in the Saturday morning strikes, five militants were killed and two militant hideouts were destroyed by artillery fire in the Kharkamar area on Saturday night", a security official said.^[80]

13 July

According to ISPR, five hideouts in Mir Ali were targeted by the military and several militants were killed.^[13]

14 July

After Miramshah was under control, a ground offensive was launched in Mirali (second-largest town in North Waziristan) and the nearby Boya area.^[81] Pakistani troops killed six militants (two of them suicide bombers), including Taliban commander Matiullah.^[81]

15 July

In a media briefing, ISPR director general Major General Asim Bajwa said that 451 militants were dead and 88 hideouts^[82] destroyed. According to Bajwa, 26 soldiers^[81] were killed in the operation to date. According to ISPR, five Pakistani soldiers were killed in exchanges of fire in and around Mirali (including an officer, Captain Akash Rabbani). Two soldiers were injured, and 11 insurgents were killed.^[83]

16 July

Thirty-five militants were killed in airstrikes in the Shawal area. According to an ISPR press release, "Today, early morning at least 35 fleeing terrorists were killed through aerial strikes in Shawal valley".^[84][85] The Mir Ali ground offensive following the clearance of Miranshah continued, with airstrikes expected.^[84]

18 July

House-to-house searches were conducted in areas of Mir Ali. Four militants were killed in an exchange of fire and 12 IEDs, an IED factory and caches of ammunition and foreign currency were seized.^[86]

19 July

"The command and control system of terrorists was destroyed in North Waziristan," said Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. "There is no place for terrorism in a democratic country."^[87] The villages of Boya and Degan were cleared by Pakistani military,^[86] and the ground offensive continued in areas of Mirali.^[86] Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani visited Mirali, Boya and Degan, meeting with the troops, and relief for IDPs was underway.^[86]

20 July

Twenty-eight militants were killed in airstrikes targeting six hideouts in the Shawal area of North Waziristan.^[88]

23 July

Twenty militants, including foreigners, were killed by Pakistani airstrikes which destroying four hideouts in the Shawal tehsil of North Waziristan.^[89] The ground operation in Mir Ali continued, with an ammunition factory and foreign currency seized from Mir Ali Bazaar.^[89] According to ISPR, a disposal operation of mines and explosive materials was underway in Miramshah with six IED factories cleared by army engineers to date.^[89]

24 July

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in an evening IED explosion near Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan (near the Pakistani-Afghan border).^[90]

26 July

During the Mir Ali ground offensive, eight militants were killed and five hideouts destroyed.^[91]

27 July

Pakistani security forces cleared 70 percent of Mir Ali and adjacent areas.^[6]

American drone strikes[edit]

Drone strikes, which were halted for six months at the request of the Pakistani government, resumed for the operation. The following drone strikes took place during the operation:^[10]

• June 11 – Two strikes in Miramshah killed 16 suspected militants and injured several others. These were the first drone strikes of 2014; the previous strike occurred on 25 December 2013 in the Qutab Khel area of Miramshah, killing four suspected militants.^[10]
• June 18 – At least six militants were killed in Miramshah.^[10]
• July 10 – A strike in the Datta Khel area killed seven militants and injured three others.^[10]
• July 16 - Four missiles were fired in a strike in the tehsil of Datta Khel, two on a house and two on a vehicle, killing twenty militants and injuring five.^[10]
• July 19 - Eleven militants, including two commanders, were killed in the tehsil of Madakhel, Data Khel, North Waziristan. Most of the militants belonged to the Punjabi faction of the Taliban.^[11]

Management of displaced civilians[edit]

As a result of the operation, 929,859 displaced civilians (from 80,302 families) were registered by Pakistani authorities as of 14 July.^[13] Financial support, relief goods and food packages were being distributed^[92][93] and 59 donation points were established across Pakistan by the army.^[86]

Foreign assistance[edit]

On 10 July, the Foreign Office of Pakistan said that the rehabilitation of internally-displaced persons was an internal matter and reiterated that Pakistan had not requested international assistance. "We have very clear instructions from the prime minister [to not seek external assistance], Pakistan has neither made nor intends to make a request for international assistance. It has been made very clear that all expenditure related to temporarily displaced Pakistanis will be met from our own resources", Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.^[94]

•  United States – The United States allocated $31 million for IDPs^[92] and an additional $9.3 million for health, hygiene, water and sanitation for IDPs and livestock.^[95]
•  United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates government granted $20.5 million in IDP humanitarian aid.^[92]

Reaction[edit]

Domestic[edit]

Social media[edit]

The decision by the Pakistani military to launch a comprehensive operation was widely supported, with journalists, opinion-makers, politicians and other social-media users commending the operation.^[96]

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf[edit]

PTI chairman Imran Khan endorsed the military operation in North Waziristan as it became clear that the Taliban were not seriously negotiating.^[97] A week before, reiterating his party's stance on peace talks with militants, Imran said that an offensive in North Waziristan would unite militant forces against the Pakistani state. "Conducting such a military operation when most of the groups in NWA want talks is suicidal," Imran said in a statement, adding that most groups in North Waziristan desired peace talks with the government.^[98] The PTI position changed as it became clear that negotiations were fruitless.^[98]

Jamat-e-Islami[edit]

Jamat-e-Islami (JI), one of Pakistan's leading religious parties, continued to oppose any operation in North Waziristan. JI leader Siraj-ul-Haq urged the government to keep the option of negotiations with the Taliban.^[99] He warned that a military operation in North Waziristan would trigger a massive human tragedy, saying that it was the duty of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to consider the views of the nation and its leadership (inside and outside Parliament) before making a crucial decision affecting national security.^[100]

Muttahida Qaumi Movement[edit]

According to Muttahida Qaumi Movement senator Babar Khan Ghauri, "This is a commendable decision by the government. We have been repeatedly telling the current government that instead of engaging the terrorists in dialogue, government should act against these elements. Karachi has a number of terrorists and it might suffer from a blow back; this should be tackled so Karachi does not have to suffer on account of this."^[39] MQM head Altaf Hussain said, "I welcome this operation and I am glad that government is supporting the armed forces, those who have not backed the operation must realize that it is a matter of national security. I appeal to them to come on same page by setting aside their political compulsions." he said.^[101][102]

Awami National Party[edit]

Awami National Party member Zahid Khan said, "We also held a dialogue previously (during our government) but that did not produce effective results. We wanted peace and we were okay if that came through dialogue but unfortunately that could not happen. This time, knowing from our experience, we had cautioned the government that [the] dialogue approach would not work. Government should have taken the parliament into confidence before launching the operation but it didn't."^[39]

Local tribesmen[edit]

North Waziristan tribal elders assured their support for Operation Zarb-e-Azb, according to a statement released by ISPR director-general Major General Asim Bajwa. "Many tribal elders from around Miranshah, Mir Ali, Datta Khel assure support to army operation," Bajwa tweeted. "The tribesmen have assured the army that they would not let the militant to return to the area." ^[103]

Sunni Ulema Board[edit]

On 22 June 2014, more than 100 Islamic scholars issued a joint fatwa in support of the operation, calling it a jihad: "Crushing of the attempts to disrupt peaceful atmosphere in a Muslim state is jihad".^[104]

International[edit]

•  Afghanistan – Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Janan Mosazai said that his government would provide "every possible assistance" to defeat the militants in the operation.^[105] Although a formal request was made to Afghanistan for co-operation with Zarb-e-Azb (primarily sealing the border), according to a Pakistani news source Pakistan viewed Afghanistan's cooperation with suspicion and felt that Hamid Karzai would try to subvert the Pakistani operation.^[106]

•  United Arab Emirates – Interior minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that his government would co-operate with Pakistan in the war against the extremists.^[107]
•  United Nations – In a statement, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that as of 23 June more than 450,000 people were internally displaced from the war-torn region.^[53] Other UN agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, agreed to provide tents and other facilities to the camps.^[108] The World Health Organization provided medicines and vaccines to the IDPs to avert a polio outbreak.^[109]
•  United States – The US supported military operations against Taliban militants, a spokesman from the US Embassy in Pakistan said on 16 June, and the US supported every Pakistani step taken for the establishment of peace.^[110] The United States had pressured Pakistan for a military operation in North Waziristan for years, and the US Congress linked military assistance to Pakistan for the next fiscal year with military operations in North Waziristan in June 2014.^[111] Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said that the Pentagon was unaware of Pakistan's decision to launch a new offensive in North Waziristan: "The Pakistan military and the government understand the threat, and they continue to go after that threat."^[4][112]
•  China – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that terrorism was a problem common to China and Pakistan, since militants were the enemy of both countries, adding that China fully supported the operation.^[113]