June 16, 6:46pm
At no cost will the country become a safe haven for terrorists, says Nawaz.
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June 16, 6:43pm
Abdul Qadir Baloch will be assigned to manage the facilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons.
PM Nawaz expects the tribes to play an important part in this operation.
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June 16, 6:42pm
PM requests religious leaders to play their role in eradicating extremism from the country.
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June 16, 6:41pm
The PM added that blood was spilled in Karachi and Islamabad despite our peace efforts.
Media and oppostion parties should stand united with the government and the armed forces.
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June 16, 6:38pm
All the decisions were taken in consultation with all stakeholders, including the armed forces, he says.
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June 16, 6:36pm
To give peace a chance, we decided to start negotiations with the militants. However, our sincere efforts were not reciprocated, says Nawaz.
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June 16, 6:34pm
Nawaz says the operation will not end until all terrorists are eliminated.
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June 16, 6:33pm
PM Nawaz has arrived at the National Assembly.
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June 16, 6:24pm
US embassy has announced its support for the army operation in North Waziristan,
Express News reported.
The embassy further stated that the US will support all steps being taken to stabilise Pakistan.
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June 16, 6:09pm
Army troops on the move from Malir Cantt; to be deployed in Karachi,
Express News reports.
Express News screengrab of army troops on the move.
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June 16, 5:59pm
The house has gone into break, but it looks like the floor is getting ready for the briefing.
Adviser to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz is present at the National Assembly as well as Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif.
Imran Khan’s speech writer has also been spotted in the gathering.
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June 16, 5:35pm
The session of the National Assembly, which was to see the prime minister brief parliament (and the nation) on the operation under way in North Waziristan, began at 4:22pm.
The session is being chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
So far, the session has only seen speeches on the budget – no sign of the prime minister yet.
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June 16, 5:21pm
Army will deployed in all major cities of Pakistan,
Express News reports.
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June 16, 4:25pm
As the army launches arguably its toughest operation yet against militants in the country’s restive tribal region,
The Express Tribune takes a look back at previous major operations launched to root out militancy in the
past 10 years.
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June 16, 3:42pm
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supports the operation in North Waziristan,
Express News reports.
According to ISPR, six soldiers were killed while three others were injured in an IED explosion near Ghulam Khan town near Afghan border in North Waziristan tribal region.
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June 16, 3:20pm
Army will be deployed in sensitive areas of Karachi, according to
Express News.
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June 16, 3:12pm
PM Nawaz Sharif is expected to address the National Assembly at 4pm on the ongoing operation in North Waziristan.
A Pakistan army vehicle heads towards North Waziristan. PHOTO: AFP
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June 16, 2:50pm
Giving details about yesterday’s offensive, the ISPR press release states that 140 militants – mostly Uzbek – were killed in precise air strikes in Degan-Boya area of North Waziristan.
“Many East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) terrorists and their affiliates have also been killed in the strikes. It was a massive blow to the terrorists and one of their main communication centres has been dismantled,” the ISPR states.
Around seven fleeing terrorists were also killed on the outskirts of Mirali last night. In a separate sniper action by Special Service Group, three terrorists were killed when they were planting IEDs close to Miranshah
Three soldiers were injured last night in exchange of fire between army men and terrorists around Mirali.
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June 16, 2:39pm
“We will rid the country of terrorists,” Army Chief General Raheel Sharif says, speaking about the operation in North Waziristan. He adds that the operation will continue until all terrorists are eliminated.
Pakistani soldiers heading towards North Waziristan. PHOTO: AFP
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June 16, 2:31pm
Our defence correspondent Kamran Yousaf tells us that at least seven suspected militants were killed in the Shawal area in the first ground encounter between security forces and militants since the army moved into North Waziristan Agency.
A senior security official tells
The Express Tribune that a shootout took place in early hours on Monday.
This is the first reported encounter between the army and militants on the ground as earlier militants were killed in air strikes.
Giving details about the operation, the official tells our defence correspondent that militants were surrounded by the army in the overnight raid with the intention to capture them alive. However, the official adds, the militants opened fired and were killed in the shootout.
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June 16, 2:25pm
The Sindh Assembly passes a unanimous resolution, supporting army operation in North Waziristan.
For more details, read
here.
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June 16, 2:22pm
The press release further states: “Operation in North Waziristan Agency is progressing as per plan. No operation in civil populated areas has been started so far. North Waziristan Agency has been isolated by deploying troops along its border with neighbouring agencies and Fata regions to block any move of terrorists in and out of the Agency.”
A Pakistan Army convoy heads towards North Waziristan in Bannu district. PHOTO: AFP
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June 16, 2:18pm
ISPR says security has been beefed up in all major cities and towns and at sensitive installations across the country by civil administration.
“Army troops have been alerted and forward placed to assist law enforcement agencies. They will remain at designated places and whenever asked by civil administration will be employed in case of emergency,” ISPR adds.
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June 16, 2:15pm
In its latest press release, ISPR says jet aircraft destroyed six hideouts in Shawal, killing 27 suspected militants. “There was no civil population in the area,” the press release states.
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June 16, 10:52am
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif says this operation will continue till the surrender or elimination of enemy.
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June 16, 10:35am
Pakistan Air Force launches fresh air strikes in North Waziristan as part of Zarb-e-Azb operation - a long-awaited offensive to eliminate militants from their border stronghold.
A local security official says fighter jets bombed two buildings west of Miranshah – the main town of North Waziristan – early Monday killing at least 10 Uzbek militants who were sheltering in them.
BY NAZAR UL ISLAM
Pakistan Army Zindabad 
(PTI)
