- Gen Raheel visits Shawal area of NWA to review progress of last phase of operation
RAWALPINDI, April 18: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Monday visited Shawal area of North Waziristan Agency and reviewed progress of last phase of operation in Shawal and spent whole day with troops busy in eliminating terrorists from their last bastion, close to Pak-Afghan Border. Speaking to officers and men while standing in Shawal Valley, COAS said standing shoulder to shoulder with us, the entire Nation highly values the sacrifices being rendered in this fight against terrorism.
COAS was briefed in detail by formation commander about operational gains so far. COAS was apprised that since start of last phase in February 2016, in treacherous terrain of Shawal, more than 800 sq KM of area has been secured inflicting heavy casualties on terrorists.
Lauding the successful completion of Shawal Operation, COAS acknowledged exceptional achievements, courage, determination and sacrifices of troops in achieving the objectives.
He; however emphasised on consolidating the gains and resettle TDPs back in their areas to the best of our abilities. Talking of breaking the nexus between terrorists and their facilitators sitting outside FATA, COAS directed to undertake large scale combing ops immediately to seek out terrorists, their sleeper cells and facilitators in areas other than FATA and enhance reach of the LEAs.-Sabah
