ISLAMABAD—Pakistan said it launched a major ground offensive on Sunday to clear out the Pakistani Taliban and other local and foreign militants from the North Waziristan tribal area, a military operation long sought by the U.S.
The news followed predawn airstrikes by Pakistan that the military said killed 105 militants in the northwestern tribal areas.
Washington has pressed Islamabad for years to clear out North Waziristan, a sanctuary for Pakistani militants, Afghan insurgents and al Qaeda operatives. Militants based there claimed responsibility for the June 8 attack on Karachi's Jinnah International Airport that left at least 35 dead.
North Waziristan, along the border with Afghanistan, is the only one of Pakistan's seven tribal areas that is still largely under militant control.
"Using North Waziristan as a base, these terrorists have waged a war against the state of Pakistan and have been disrupting our national life in all its dimensions, stunting our economic growth and causing enormous loss of life and property," said a statement from the Pakistani military.
Leony Li
By
Published: 2014-07-14T15:18:00-07:00
Pakistan Operation targets Waziristan militants
By
Published: 2014-07-14T15:18:00-07:00
Pakistan Operation targets Waziristan militants
