General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Shawal area of North Waziristan today to review progress of operation Zarb-e-Azb.

COAS was briefed by Operation commander about operational gains so far and the impending operations. COAS was also briefed that the deeply forested ravines of Shawal Valley and area ahead of Data Khel which have been frequent infiltration routes of terrorists between Pakistan and Afghanistan, is now the last bastion of terrorists left in North Waziristan.

General Raheel Sharif directed to commence forthwith the last phase of Operation in North Waziristan which aims at clearing the remnants of terrorists from their hide outs in deeply forested ravines, isolate them and indiscriminately sever their links with their abettors anywhere across the country.

COAS expressed complete satisfaction over the gains and effects of operations and acknowledged the resolve of troops to fully eliminate terrorists from their left over sanctuary.

While addressing troops, participating in the operation, General Raheel Sharif commended their high state of morale and paid rich tributes to their resilience and sacrifice. COAS said that sacrifices of soldiers will not go waste and we will achieve the ultimate goal of a terror free Pakistan.

Earlier, on arrival COAS was received by Lieutenant General Hidayat Ur Rehman, Commander 11 Corps Peshawar.