Army reiterates to deal with terrorists with iron hand

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said that the only aim of the armed forces was to wipe out terrorism and win the war against terrorism in a big way with national support and unity.

He also took stock of repeated attacks on anti-polio vaccination teams and reiterated that culprits behind this saga would be taken to task. The army chief shared these reported views as the top military command reviewed prevailing internal and external security situation of the country including progress on the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb and Khyber-1 at the 180th Corps Commanders’ Conference, held here at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Tuesday.

General Raheel Sharif chaired the Conference that discussed various professional matters and the problems faced by the armed forces during various operations. A comprehensive review of operational preparedness was made besides prevalent internal and external security situation of the country including progress of the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb and Khyber-1 and the National Action Plan (NAP).

The top military brass also discussed the mechanism for smooth implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) including the formation of military courts to hear terrorism related cases following the militant attacks. The army chief was particularly concerned about the rising number of attacks on anti-polio vaccination teams and said that the terrorists who were attacking the vaccinators would be met with an iron hand. He also reiterated foolproof security to anti-polio teams.

A senior military official at the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), while talking to Daily Times by phone, said the meeting also discussed the security situation particularly in FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as matters relating to repatriation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes in the tribal areas.

The corps commanders reiterated that terrorism would be eliminated from every nook and corner of the country besides the tribal areas. The meeting was also briefed about all problems being faced by the law enforcement agencies to help find their way out.

The ISPR source shared that the Pakistan Army would ensure security for the citizens and would “never hesitate from offering sacrifices in future as well”. He added that the top military brass also reviewed the progress on the implementation of the National Action Plan.