No let-up : Army chief vows to consolidate Karachi op gains

Says remnants of terrorist sleeper cells will be eliminated indiscriminately.

KARACHI: There will be no let-up in the ongoing operation against extortionists, target killers and other crime syndicates in the metropolis. The gains of the Karachi operation would not be allowed to reverse, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Wednesday, adding that the operation would continue until sustainable peace was restored.

The army chief, who was visiting Karachi for the first time after assuming his office, called for consolidating the gains of the operation and elimination of remnants of terrorists’ sleeper cells.

Gen Qamar visited the Corps Headquarters and Rangers Headquarters where he was given a detailed briefing about the operational preparedness of the formation and the security situation in Sindh, particularly in Karachi.

Overall accomplishments achieved during the Karachi operation and the way forward remained the focus of the briefing.

COAS General Qamar Bajwa visits Corps Headquarters and Rangers Headquarters in Karachi. PHOTO: PPI

Commending the role of the army, Rangers, law-enforcement and intelligence agencies in bringing noticeable improvement in the security situation, the army chief said: “Karachi is the economic hub of the country and the metropolis’ security has a direct bearing on the overall business climate and economic activity of the country.”

The ISPR also quoted Gen Qamar as saying that all out efforts would be made to consolidate gains made during the operation and remnants of terrorist sleeper cells would be eliminated indiscriminately.

Gen Qamar lauded the support and sacrifices rendered by the people of Karachi in this journey towards peace. “Gains achieved during the operation would not be allowed to be reversed and the operations will continue till sustainable peace was attained.”

He ordered a focused and synergised effort of all military and civil intelligence agencies for optimum effect to pre-empt potential threats to peace in Karachi.

Gen Qamar said Pakistan Army would render all necessary assistance to the provincial government for capacity-building and training of law-enforcement agencies for long-term effectiveness against organised crime and maintaining enduring peace in the city.

Earlier, he was briefed by the corps commander and DG Rangers Sindh about the ongoing operation and various security issues.

The army chief also visited the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah where he laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2016.