Pakistan moves in on Taliban stronghold
- 10 years ago
The Pakistani army moves into North Waziristan, a Taliban stronghold.
For years, Pakistan's allies, especially the U.S., has urged the government to clear out Taliban forces in the remote, mountainous region that borders Afghanistan.
After two weeks of aerial bombing in the region, ground forces head in.
A military statement says soldiers found underground tunnels and bomb-making factories.
The military launched its air operation on June 15, after months of peace talks made little progress.
The government had been eager to strike a peace deal.
But during the sporadic talks, the Taliban launched several attacks, including an assault on Karachi airport that left more than 30 people dead.
The army then ordered the entire civilian population of North Waziristan to evacuate and more than 450,000 people left their homes.
The military says 376 militants have been killed and 19 have surrendered.
Seventeen soldiers have also been killed.
For years, Pakistan's allies, especially the U.S., has urged the government to clear out Taliban forces in the remote, mountainous region that borders Afghanistan.
After two weeks of aerial bombing in the region, ground forces head in.
A military statement says soldiers found underground tunnels and bomb-making factories.
The military launched its air operation on June 15, after months of peace talks made little progress.
The government had been eager to strike a peace deal.
But during the sporadic talks, the Taliban launched several attacks, including an assault on Karachi airport that left more than 30 people dead.
The army then ordered the entire civilian population of North Waziristan to evacuate and more than 450,000 people left their homes.
The military says 376 militants have been killed and 19 have surrendered.
Seventeen soldiers have also been killed.