Radd-ul-Fasaad will target all troublemakers: COAS

Gen Qamar visits Multan Garrison

MULTAN: Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said the country’s military and security agencies will crack down on ‘all troublemakers’ under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

“Through Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad we will take on all fasaadies and play our part in bringing back normalcy in our country,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying during his visit to the Multan Garrison.

The military launched the new countrywide anti-terrorist offensive after a series of deadly bombings across Pakistan killed over 100 people last month. In an interview earlier this week, ISPR chief Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said the new operation was aimed at countering ‘mischievous’ elements, “whether they exist within or outside the country.”



Gen Qamar, who was given a detailed briefing on the troops’ operational preparedness, acknowledged their contributions towards internal security.

The army chief also witnessed the training of troops to execute the population census support plan. “He appreciated the preparations, and said that population census is an important national activity and army shall extend full support for its smooth conduct,” said the military’s media arm. The sixth population and housing census in the K-P and Fata is going to be launched from March 15. The census has been due since 2008 but could not be held for a variety of reasons.

Later, Gen Qamar witnessed a combat training exercise at the Muzaffargarh field firing ranges. He complimented participating troops for displaying excellent training standards to carry out both conventional and sub-conventional operations.

“The Pakistan Army by virtue of its combat experience over the years is second to none,” the army chief said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2017.