Event
Pakistani Military Operation
The Operation Zalzala (English: Operation Earthquake), was a Pakistan Army military offensive, manhunt, and counter-insurgency operation that was commenced on 18 January 2008. The operation concluded with mixed results as the army had successfully captured the area, but had failed to capture or kill Qari Hussain, the main objective of the operation.
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Text from the Wikipedia article “Operation Zalzala”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Operation Zalzala (English: Operation Earthquake), was a Pakistan Army military offensive, manhunt, and counter-insurgency operation that was commenced on 18 January 2008. The operation concluded with mixed results as the army had successfully captured the area, but had failed to capture or kill Qari Hussain, the main objective of the operation.
On 15 and 16 January 2008, large number of pro-Taliban militants had overrun Ludha, which resulted in Taliban victory as they had killed several paramilitary soldiers. On 24 January, the Pakistan Army started a full-fledged operation called 'Zalzala' (earthquake). The operation was led by Pakistan Army's 14th Infantry Division (normally stationed in Okara and assigned to II Corps) as it was supported by 20th Mountaineering Brigade. Major-General Tariq Khan, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 14th Infantry Division served the Operation's Officer Commanding.
On 20 January 2008, the operation was launched. The army swept the area through with AH-1 Cobra helicopters, artillery and Al-Zarrar and Al-Khalid tanks that crunched across a parched riverbed.
More than 200,000 people were displaced after the announcement of operation. During the operation, the army troops had discovered bomb factories and schools for teenage suicide bombers. Hate Literature and CDs were also confiscated by the army. The Army later on took part in the rebuilding process and helped facilitate the return of villagers to their respective homes.
The sporadic fighting continued in the area, and the troops were still fighting the Taliban forces. Following the operation, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) offered a truce and peace negotiations resulting in a suspension of violence. In spite of the victory in the operation, on 21 May 2008 Pakistan signed a peace agreement with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Text from the Wikipedia article “Operation Zalzala”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.