Operation against terrorists, criminals apolitical: army

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army on Tuesday maintained that the surge against terrorists and criminals was apolitical, across the board and focused to achieve peace in the country.

“Terror-free Pakistan is now a national resolve,” Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif told Corps Commanders’ Conference held here at the General Headquarters. Speaking to the forum, the COAS said with an overwhelming support of the entire nation, operation Zarb-e-Azb has inflicted significant damage on terrorists.

Emphasising the continued precision targeting of terrorists squeezed in isolated pockets in FATA, the COAS directed all concerned to intensify intelligence-based operations against criminals, terrorists and their abettors in urban areas for enduring peace in the country.

“Thousands of innocent Pakistanis including our children have been martyred by terrorists and extremists,” he said. “Law enforcement agencies and our brave armed forces have given lot of sacrifices in fighting these misguided and hardened criminals to safeguard a peaceful and better future for our next generation,” he added.

The COAS said that these sacrifices will not go waste. “We will take this war to its logical conclusion. Dignity and honour of our country, its people and gallant armed forces will be safeguarded at all cost,” he added.

According to ISPR, the conference took serious notice of Indian intelligence agency RAW’s involvement in whipping up terrorism in Pakistan.

The participants dwelt at length on internal and external security situation in the country and reviewed progress of operation Zarb-e-Azb and ongoing intelligence-based operations in the country.

Professional matters were also discussed during the meeting.

Separately, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman on Tuesday visited the PAF base Shahbaz in Jacobabad.

While interacting with the airmen, the air chief appreciated their level of motivation in performing the assigned tasks. He reiterated that everyone must remain focused and make dedicated efforts as a team to keep the Pakistan Air Force in highest state of operational readiness. “We should make earnest efforts for betterment and glory of our motherland,” he said.