Suicide jackets, explosives recovered in Fata

Army reiterates support to population census

Security forces have recovered suicide jackets, explosive cylinder, IEDs, anti-tank mines and detonators during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the army’s media wing said on Tuesday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the ammunition was recovered in Khyber and South Waziristan tribal areas under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

The army launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad -- which translates roughly to ‘elimination of discord’ -- to indiscriminately eliminate the “residual/latent threat of terrorism”, consolidate the gains made in other military operations, and further ensure security of Pakistan’s borders.

The ISPR said: “A large quantity of arms and ammunition of various calibre -- including SMGs, pistols,12.7 and 14.5 mm, and rockets -- are also recovered from an abandoned terrorist compound in Lalejai village and Weshtonai area of the South Waziristan tribal area.”



Moreover, scores of suspects were also arrested “along with arms and ammo in joint search operations and IBOs conducted by Punjab Rangers, the police and intelligence agencies” in Lahore, Attock, Sialkot, Narowal, Shiekhupura, DG Khan, Rahimyar Khan, Rajanpur and Islamabad, it added.

Operation Radd-ul-Fasad is a continuation of the National Action Plan (NAP) that had been formulated after the devastating attack on the Army Public School Peshawar in December 2014.

Also, the ISPR reiterated the army’s support to the second phase of the census. “[The] army support continues for phase 2 of [the] 6th housing and population census.”

The first phase of the population census was concluded on April 15 after covering 63 districts in the country, including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“The census material of the first phase from all districts has been safely transported to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in Islamabad under Pakistan Army’s protection,” the ISPR said and added: “Phase 2 is in progress and set to conclude as planned on May 25.”