Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistani forces mounting pressure on militants in NW

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 16, IRNA -- Pakistan Friday said that constant pressure and squeeze, without going in for large scale ground operations, has been applied on the terrorists, with success, gaining better control of the area in North Waziristan.

The statement came a day after the Chairman of the US Joint Staff Committee Admiral Mike Mullen said that Pakistan army chief has pledged to launch operation in North Waziristan.

Pakistan has been under pressure by the US to launch offensive against the militants in the region which Washington considers as the main base of al-Qaeda and Taliban.

“Recently North Wazirisation has been under sharp focus. Despite battling with the worst floods in 100 years, Pakistan Army continues to maintain a presence of over 34,000 troops in North Waziristan,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Pakistan Army has suffered over 2057 casualties, including 500 deaths in this area alone, a Ministry’s statement said.

The statement said Pakistan understands ISAF concerns, adding that “any question relating to when, how and what is to be done in North Waziristan is based on judgment, keeping in mind our capacities, priorities and overall national interest”.

“This in no way should be interpreted as lack of Pakistani resolve to fight terrorism,” the statement said.

It said that despite battling with the worst floods in 100 years, Pakistan Army continues to maintain a presence of over 34,000 troops in North Waziristan.

The statement said that being cognizant of the threat and environment, Pakistan Army has conducted calibrated operations against terrorist and extremist forces.

'It has conducted large scale military operations in various parts of tribal regions and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa to establish the writ of the state and disrupt/incapacitate Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, it added.

**1424
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30021405