Pakistan Army launched Phase-II of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb against militants

Pakistan Army launched the Phase-II of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb or Strike of the Prophet’s Sword on 30 June 2014. The Phase-II of the Operation will be in the form of ground offensive against Taliban militants in North Waziristan.

The launch of ground offensive will strengthen security on the border of Afghanistan-Pakistan and prevent militants from escaping into Afghanistan.

The Pakistani Army launched the Operation Zarb-e-Azb on 15 June 2014 but limited its tactics to airstrikes.
The operation in North Waziristan came after militants launched an attack on Karachi airport on 7 June 2014, which left 36 people dead, including the 10 Taliban gunmen who performed the attack.

Earlier, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif had held several rounds with the Taliban militants to broker a ceasefire as part of a broader regional settlement.

North Waziristan is a key sanctuary for the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups, such as the Haqqani network and Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.