Pakistan army says targeting terrorists indiscriminately

LONDON: Pakistani military Thursday said that it was targeting the extremist militants without any distinction of "good or bad", Samaa reported.

“Pakistan Army’s ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb is a major indiscriminate offensive against the terrorists holed up in the rugged borderlands of the country,” Director General (DG) Inter Services Public relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa told the members of a London-based think-tank during a briefing.

Pakistani military’s sure-fire ground and air strikes in North Waziristan were gaining roaring momentum, the military spokesperson said adding the forces would not stop hunting the terrorists down until the insurgency-infested territories were completely purged from the top down.

Going forward Bajwa said a deadly June 8, 2014 attack on Karachi airport was the watershed that ultimately forced the military to blast off an operation against the terrorists.

"We will not let anyone use Pakistani soil against any other country," said the Maj Gen.

On Indian violations of border ceasefire agreement, Bajwa said,” India’s wanton military madness is essentially premeditated. It has to stop pinning baseless blames on Pakistan. However, the biggest hurdle in the way to Pakistan-India peace is the Kashmir dispute, which must be resolved.”

He was unequivocal when he said that Pakistan could not turn a blind eye to what was happening in India.

A Pakistani military delegation led by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif arrived here in London Wednesday for a three-day visit.

On the first day of visit, Gen Sharif called on Prime Minister David Cameroon at his residence on 10 Downing Street.

A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations said that during the meeting the COAS stressed on PM Cameroon to take action against the proscribed organizations and other anti state elements operating from abroad so that terror financing pouring into Pakistan could be choked.

UK’s National Security Adviser, Sir Kim Darroch was also present on the occasion.

Earlier, UK’s Chief of Defense Staff Gen Sir Nicholas Houghton accompanied Gen Sharif while he was presented with a full guard of honour.

Later, Gen Sharif and his British counterpart extensively compared notes on intelligence sharing, counterterrorism cooperation, regional security, Afghanistan situation, and other matters of mutual interest.

The COAS also had a detailed give-and-take with UK Secretary of Defense Michael Fallen.