No operation in N Waziristan: Pakistan army

Islamabad, July 02: Pakistan’s military denies intentions of extending its anti-militant campaign to North Waziristan, urging people in the tribal region to cooperate with the army.

Pakistan Army’s helicopters dropped pamphlets in provincial capital Miranshah, calling on the residents to side with the government forces who are fighting pro-Taliban insurgents in neighboring South Waziristan.

The text rejects allegations by miscreants who launch attacks on the military and say the army plans to begin an operation in the area.

The military rejected the claim and assured the tribal forces that the government would remain adamant to implementation of the peace treaty signed by the two sides.

“It is your own military; therefore, you are called upon to fully cooperate with it,” the pamphlet read, asking people to play their role in restoring peace in the region and not to let their soil be used against the government or the army.

It was earlier said that the army did not plan to carry out any operation in the area but reserved itself the right to take action against militants havened there.

On Wednesday, the military said it managed to kill 28 militants, including a senior insurgent leader, in Khyber agency.

More than 1,600 militants have so far been killed in the military operation in violent Swat and Malkand region in Pakistan’s troubled northwest since it started in late April, according to the army.

—–Agencies