Terror war gains to be consolidated for lasting peace: COAS

Military pays tribute to martyrs on third anniversary of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday said the gains made during the past two decades of relentless fight against terrorism would be consolidated to achieve enduring peace and stability for Pakistan and the wider region.

The statement came on the third anniversary of Radd-ul-Fasaad – a counterterrorism operation launched on Feb 22, 2017 to neutralise the “sleeper cells” of terrorists in the country’s urban centres after their command and control centre and bomb-making factories were decimated in the erstwhile tribal regions.

Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad aims at indiscriminately eliminating residual/latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of the previous operations and ensuring security of the borders, the military’s media wing said at the time of the launch of the offensive.

The army chief on Saturday paid tribute to the martyrs and the sacrifices rendered by the security forces in achieving stability and peace in the country. “Tribute to our martyrs, our real heroes, our pride,” the ISPR quoted Gen Qamar as saying.

“Gains of 2 decades of WOT shall be consolidated to achieve enduring peace and stability both for Pak & the region. Army is aware and capable of thwarting all threats to security / sovereignty of Pakistan
irrespective of the cost ”COAS. (3/3)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) February 22, 2020

The military’s media wing said the residual and latent threat of terrorism was eliminated indiscriminately and the effort was backed by the entire nation. It termed the journey from “terrorism to tourism”.

The army chief said the successes were achieved at a “monumental cost paid in men and material”. Praising the nation for being resilient and defeating the extremist ideology, he appreciated the people’s unflinching support for the armed forces.

...backed by the entire Nation, achieved unparalleled success at a monumental cost paid in men & material. Tribute to our martyrs, our real heroes, our pride. We also salute our resilient nation in defeating extremists’ ideology & for unflinching support to the AFs. (2/3)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) February 22, 2020

According to defence analysts and former military officials, the operation, steered by Gen Qamar, was not easy by any measure. However, the nationwide operation successfully thwarted hundreds of terrorist plots across the country.

During Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, the military carried out more than 49,000 intelligence-based operations (IBO) to foil terror attacks and prevent militants from disrupting life across the country.

“The overall law and order situation has improved across the board. The country is safer than any time in history,” Defence analyst Maj Gen (retd) Inamul Haq said.

History of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad

In February 2017, the terrorist group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for several suicide attacks across the country.

With an increase of attacks across the country, the Pakistan Army launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

The intensive nation-wide operation against terror groups, steered by Army Chief Bajwa, successfully thwarted hundreds of terrorist plots across the country.

Source: Express Tribune

According to defence analysts and former military officials, the operation was not easy by any measure.

During Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, the military carried out more than 49,000 Intelligence Based Operations (IBO) to foil terror attacks and prevent militants from disrupting life across the country.

Defence analyst Maj-Gen (retd) Inamul Haq credits operation Radd-ul-Fasaad for helping Pakistan establish complete control over tribal areas.

"The overall law and order situation has improved across the board. The country is safer than any time in history," he said.

Major anti-terror operations

• Operation Rah-e-Haq-I, II and III in Swat (2007-09)


• Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem in Khyber Agency (2008)Operation Sherdil launched with Frontier Corps in Bajaur Agency (2008)


• Operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat (2009)


• Operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan (2009)


• Operation Sirat Mustaqeem (Righteous Path) in Bara (2008). This was followed by Operation Daraghlam (here I come) in December 2008, and Bia Daraghlam (Here I come again). The last operation Khawkh Ba de Sham (will teach you a lesson) was conducted in November 2009.


• Operation Black Thunderstorm in Buner, Lower Dir and Shangla district (2009)


• Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan (2014)


• Operation Khyber I, II and III in Khyber Agency (2014-16)


• Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad across the country (2017)