At least 15 suspected militants were killed and three soldiers were injured as Pakistan military launched ground offensive against the foreign and local militants in North Waziristan tribal agency of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, said military on Monday.
A press release by public relations wing of Pakistan military, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, "After evacuation of all civil population, Ground operation commenced in and around Miranshah. House to House search of Miranshah town is being carried out by infantry troops and special service group." ISPR further said that 15 "terrorists" have been killed in the ground offensive so far.
Troops have recovered underground tunnels and IEDs preparation factories inside the so far cleared area. It confirmed that three soldiers got injured in exchange of fire.
According to ISPR, around 376 "terrorists" have been killed so far in the comprehensive military operation "Zarbe Azb" in North Waziristan while nineteen have surrendered to the security forces.
"Seventeen soldiers embraced martyrdom in the ongoing offensive so far," it said, adding that the security forces destroyed 61 "terrorists' hideouts" during last 15 days.
Pakistan military has placed effective cordon at other areas housing "terrorists." North Waziristan is one of the seven semi autonomous tribal agencies of Pakistan governed by tribal laws and facing militants' insurgency against the state for last seven years.
Pakistan army launched the operation following a major militants' assault on southern Karachi city airport earlier this month that killed at least 32 people including all 10 attackers.