RAWALPINDI -- The Pakistani military announced on Sunday that the security forces have launched a major operation against the local and foreign militants in the restive North Waziristan tribal region.

"On the directions of the government, armed forces of Pakistan have launched a comprehensive operation against foreign and local terrorists who are hiding in sanctuaries in North Wazirastan Agency," the military spokesman, Maj. Gen.Asim Bajwa said. The operation has been codenamed "Zarb-e-Azbnamed."

The army said that the valiant armed forces have been tasked to eliminate these terrorists regardless of hue and color, along with their sanctuaries.

"Using North Waziristan as a base, these terrorists had waged a war against the state of Pakistan and had been disrupting our national life in all its dimensions, stunting our economic growth and causing enormous loss of life and property," the spokesman said.

"They had also paralyzed life within the agency and had perpetually terrorized the entire peace loving and patriotic local population," it added.

The army said that with the support of the entire nation, and in coordination with other state institutions and law enforcement agencies, these enemies of the state will be denied space anywhere across the country.

"As always, armed forces of Pakistan will not hesitate in rendering any sacrifice for the motherland," the army's spokesman said.