Zarb-e-Azb laid strong foundation of peace in Pakistan: COAS

LAHORE: Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has said anti-terror operation Zarb e Azb has laid a strong foundation for peace and progress of the country.

He said this during his visit to his alma mater, Government College University Lahore on Friday.

He interacted with the students and faculty members and visited various sections of the premier institute.

The Army Chief expressed optimism for a bright future of the country, saying Pakistanis are a great nation and our human resource is our real asset. He said youth could play an important role towards taking Pakistan to new heights.

Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the tribal areas – launched in 2014 under the supervision of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif – is one of the most critical offensives in which our security forces have ever been engaged.

Many of the terror-hit areas of the tribal belt, particularly North Waziristan, are now believed to have been cleared of terrorists.

By June 2016, more than 3,500 terrorists had been killed, more than 22,000 apprehended and more than 900 militant hideouts destroyed during the offensive.

At least 513 Pakistani soldiers emerged as martyrs to the cause of the operation and over 1,950 suffered injuries. The higher number of casualties of the security personnel points to the intensity of confrontation in this most difficult battlefield.