Army chief offers Eid prayers with troops in North Waziristan

We are determined not to let terrorists return and reverse military gains, says General Raheel Sharif

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif offered Eid prayers in North Waziristan as he interacted with army troops taking part in the continuing military offensive against militants in the tribal belt, Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

The army chief’s visit comes just days after he sent special gifts for families of students killed in December 2014 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar and to the temporary displaced persons (TDPs).

#COAS visited Waziristan.Eid prayer &met troops in Shawal & Dattakhel.commended morale&spirit of fighting on front lines 4 motherland-1

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016

“Our nation and valiant army have paid a huge price for eliminating terrorists and restoring peace in country and we will not let these sacrifices go to waste,” said the ISPR.

COAS;our nation&valiant Army have paid a huge price 4 eliminating terrorists,restoring peace in country.Wont let these sacrifices go waste-2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016

While the terrorists are being chased across the country, General Raheel said, the army is determined not to let them return and reverse the gains of the military.

With FATA cleared and terrorists being chased across the country, we are determined not to allow them to return and reverse our gains-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016

The army chief reiterated that the on-going operation against terrorists of all hue and colour will continue.

#COAS stated that our operations against terrorists of all hue and colour will continue-4 pic.twitter.com/weBSlf71wK

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016

No use of Pak soil against Afghanistan

The COAS said while the consolidation goes on and the operation dividends are optimised for the border region with Afghanistan, Pakistan will not allow anyone to use its soil against the neighbouring country.

#COAS said,As consolidation goes on &op dividends optimised for Pak-Afgn border region,Pak won't allow anyone to use its soil against Afgn-5

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016

Continued... And directed all Comds, int agencies & LEAs to take concrete measures against violators-6

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016

Directing all commanders and law enforcement agencies to take concrete measures to ensure peace and stability in the country, the army chief said peace and stability along the border with Afghanistan remains priority.

COAS;peace&stability along Pak-Afgn border remains our priority; towards which we will commit all our efforts-7

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016

“Border management and dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees are important enablers for lasting peace and our efforts for peace in Afghanistan have been acknowledged.”

Border mgmt&dignified repatriation of Afgn refugees r important enablers 4 lasting peace.Our efforts 4 Peace in Afgn 've been acknowledged-8

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016

General Raheel, however, warned that in return of its commitment to facilitate reconciliation with sincerity, commitment and resolve, Pakistan expects the same from the Afghanistan side.

While we are committed to facilitate recon process with sincerity,commitment&resolve, we expect non use of Afgn territory against Pak-9

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 6, 2016