ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan reportedly is all set to launch a ground offensive in restive North Waziristan Agency, signalling a paradigm shift in its policy.
Both government and security officials confirmed that the civil and military leaderships have finally concluded that a targeted military operation is now unavoidable.
A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and attended by army chief General Raheel Sharif and other senior officials last Thursday discussed several options to deal with the Taliban in the face of a recent surge in attacks carried out by the group.
One official, who asked to remain anonymous, disclosed that there was a “greater realisation” among all stakeholders that certain groups will never enter into dialogue and will have to be dealt with the use of force. Sources said the decision to initiate a ground offensive in March is believed to be taken on account of the challenge posed by the harsh winter in North Waziristan to security personnel operating in the agency.
However, surgical strikes may soon be carried out against Taliban hideouts ahead of the targeted operation in the tribal region.
When asked a security official pointed out that the military was ready to take on the challenge. “We [the army] have the capacity and the will to eliminate all such groups which are not willing to reconcile” said the official.
INTERNEWS
