Frontline visit: Army chief vows to wipe out terrorists

Orders enhanced vigilance and proactive approach to stop terrorists’ movements

ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif visited the frontline in Khyber Agency on Friday and vowed to clear all remaining pockets and sleeper cells of terrorists across the country.

Security forces recently launched an offensive along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Agency to prevent cross-border movement of terrorists and ensure better border management.

Showing satisfaction over the progress of the operation, the army chief appreciated the high morale and professionalism showed by soldiers in fighting terrorists of various organisations hiding in the most rugged terrain, the military’s media wing said in a statement issued on Friday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the Chief of Army Staff was received by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Hidayatur Rehman while the operational commander briefed him on the progress of the ongoing operations and gains consolidated so far.

Appreciating the efforts of the soldiers, the army chief called for enhanced vigilance and proactive approach to stop all movements of terrorists.



Clearance of mountain passes in Rajgal, despite the area having the most treacherous terrain where terrorists occupy high positions on both sides of the border, demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to check cross-border movement, Gen Raheel was quoted as saying by the ISPR. “This will go a long way in helping our initiative of border management,” he said.

While talking to troops, the army chief said the Pakistani nation and army had paid a huge price in fighting against terrorists. “We will commit all efforts to clear the remote pockets and sleeper cells of terrorists till their total elimination from the country,” he vowed.

The army has successfully driven out terrorists from the tribal areas, including the once restive North Waziristan Agency, but militants still have hideouts on both sides of the border with Afghanistan. The operation in Rajgal Valley in the mountainous regions of Khyber Agency is part of Pakistan’s efforts to ensure better border management.

Security officials believe the operation in Rajgal would further squeeze the space available to fleeing terrorists along the porous Pak-Afghan border.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2016.