Country successfully defeated terrorism, says Gen Qamar

Army chief says country is now in consolidation phase

RAWALPINDI: Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said Pakistan has successfully defeated terrorism and is now in a consolidation phase.

He made the comment while visiting the Bahadur Ranges near Attock to witness the ‘Fajrul Sharq 1’ joint exercise between special forces troops from Pakistan and Jordan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.



Speaking on the occasion, Gen Qamar said the armed forces of Pakistan are fully trained and ready for response to the full spectrum threat. He added that the country’s achievements in counter-terrorism operations were being viewed as successful case studies.

“Pakistan has successfully defeated terrorism and is now in consolidation phase,” the army chief said. Gen Qamar also congratulated the participants on their successful conduct during the exercise and appreciated high standards of professional competence displayed by the troops. He observed that conducting such joint exercises helps improve professional expertise in conducting counter-terrorism operations. “Such engagements were a source of mutual sharing, learning and benefit.”

The army chief thanked the Jordanian Army and the contingent for their participation in this first special forces collaboration and expressed his desire to continue this engagement. Later, the army chief also interacted with the participants.



Earlier on arrival at the training facility, Gen Qamar was received by Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed Butt, Commander Peshawar Corps and Lt Gen Hidayatur Rehman, IGT&E. GOC Special Services Group was also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2016.