ISPR chief denies new operation in North Waziristan

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: Military spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan on Thursday denied that regular troops were taking positions in North Waziristan Agency to launch a new operation against Al Qaeda.

“There is no operation,” he told Daily Times by phone from Islamabad when his comments were sought on a media report quoting FATA Security Chief Brig (r) Mehmood Shah that “hundreds of troops” were preparing for a new operation in North Waziristan.

Foreign wire services quoted Mr Shah as saying: “There might be [an] operation there [North Waziristan], we are there for this purpose.” The reports said troops were relocated from South Waziristan Agency to Miranshah in North Waziristan.

Mr Sultan said he would not predict military operations against Al Qaeda but added that President Musharraf had said military operation would be launched against terrorists “whenever there is a requirement”. He said there was peace in the tribal area now and hoped that the political process, the jirga system would yield positive results.

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