The Pakistan army on Thursday said militants of the feared Haqqani network based in the North Waziristan tribal region will also be targeted during the ongoing military operation in the restive region. Major General Asim Bajwa, military spokesman, told a media briefing at army headquarters that so far 327 terrorists and 10 soldiers were killed in the offensive launched on June 15.
Meanwhile, after days of targeted air strikes on Taliban militants in Pakistan’s tribal region of North Waziristan, ground troops moved into Miranshah town on Thursday as tanks and artillery pounded hideouts in the city. The military has started clearing of built-up areas of the militants, said a security official on condition of anonymity. The ground attack started at 6 pm and focused on the main Bazar area in Miranshah where the Pakistani Taliban has a strong presence.
Meanwhile, a report from Islamabad said Pakistan and Afghanistan on Thursday agreed to enhance cooperation against terrorism in the wake of the massive military operation by Islamabad to cleanse the North Waziristan tribal region of militants.