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Military Operation Khyber IV has been started to dismantle "safe heavens" of terrorists, it is continuation of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasaad. A large part of Khyber Valley has already been cleared and more than 20 terrorists have been killed so far. Even as fierce battle is going on in different parts of Khyber Valley, the Armed Forces have successfully captured the highest mountains from the terrorists.
The army launched a major ground offensive in one of the last two remaining pockets in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan as part of Pakistan's ongoing efforts to establish writ of the State writ and also deny ISIS any space. The operation, codenamed Khyber-4 has been initiated in Rajgal Valley, considered to be the most difficult terrain in the entire Federal Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that this operation was part of the ongoing antiterror campaign under Radd-ulFasaad. He said Rajgal Valley was the most difficult terrain for operation as it spread over an area of 256 square kilometres with eight passes and heights ranging from 12,000 to 14,000 above sea level. A full division of the army, including artillery and aviation, backed by Pakistan Air Force is taking part in the operation. This Operation is critical since it could provide a key route to ISIS terrorists operating from Afghanistan to establish their foothold in Pakistan. Moreover, the banned Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) was also operating from Rajgal.
The Pakistan Army has now captured a critical high peak, Burkh Muhammad Kandao during Khyber IV Operation along the Pak-Afghan border, a major success for the Pakistan Army as it has cleared the area and forces have established posts on 12,000 feet High mountain. The mountains peak and case was used as storage and observation point by the terrorists. Numerous terrorists were killed and many fled to Afghanistan as their hideouts were destroyed during the operation. Huge cache of explosives, mines and weapons were recovered from the terrorists. Special Services Group (SSG) also took part in the operation.
The below mentioned factors are keys to success in the war against terrorism. The InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said that 110 square kilometres area in Rajgal valley has been cleared by the Pak...