ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif Monday visited South Waziristan Agency and reviewed progress of last phase of operation in Shawal.
According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS spent whole day with troops, busy in eliminating terrorists from their last bastion, close to Pak-Afghan Border.
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 resettling Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) back in their areas to the best of abilities.
Talking of breaking the nexus between terrorists and their facilitators sitting outside FATA, COAS directed to undertake large scale combing operations immediately to seek out terrorists, their sleeper cells and facilitators in areas other than FATA and enhance reach of the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
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.
