PESHAWAR: An army officer, four soldiers and at least 34 suspected militants were killed in a clash, air strikes and a landmine explosion on Saturday as the security forces kicked off a ground offensive in Shawal and Dattakhel areas of North Waziristan Agency (NWA). The offensive has been dubbed the last phase of Zarb-i-Azb operation.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the clash took place after troops surrounded a group of fleeing militants in Mangroti, near the Afghan border.

At least 19 militants were killed and an unspecified number injured in an intense exchange of fire. An officer, Captain Umair, and three soldiers lost their lives in the clash.

The ISPR said the ground operation in Shawal was progressing smoothly.

According to reports, air force planes destroyed four hideouts and killed at least 15 suspected militants in bombing raids in Dattakhel.

Army loses captain, four troops in Shawal, Dattakhel

Dattakhel is adjacent to Shawal and both areas have tough terrain.

Dattakhel has been under curfew for the past three days and civilians have not been evacuated. An official said an area between Dattakhel and Mama Ziarat was under curfew.

The ongoing offensive in Shawal and Dattakhel is the last phase of Zarb-i-Azb military operation, which was launched in June 2014 to clear North Waziristan of militants. Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif visited Shawal valley on Wednesday and ordered troops to wipe out the last bastions of militants in the area.

The air force is trying to soften up the targets before ground attacks are launched.

Reports suggested that militants, led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, and those belonging to other groups had moved to Shawal and Dattakhel after they were expelled from Miramshah and Mirali during the military operation.

Meanwhile, a landmine hit a vehicle of security personnel in Karam area of Dattakhel, killing a soldier and injuring two others.

The soldiers were patrolling the area when the explosion took place.

According to AFP, the air strikes were carried out in Maizer area of Dattakhel.

“Among the 15 killed militants, six were Uzbeks,” a security official in the area said.

A security official in Peshawar said: “The air strikes have increased in the past few days and we have hit the targets today also.”

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2016