Top commanders vow to ‘defeat terrorists at all costs’

Amid a sharp uptick in terrorist violence, especially in Balochistan, after a long lull, the military brass has renewed the pledge to defeat “terrorists and their abettors at all costs”.

The reiteration of the commitment was made by the top military commanders during the 238th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at the GHQ in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa presided over the huddle which convened two days after terrorists slaughtered 11 members of the Hazara community in a grisly methodical massacre claimed by an outlawed group.

It was the second deadliest attack in a week as seven Frontier Corps troops were martyred in a gunfight sparked off by a terrorist raid on a security check post in Harnai district on December 27.

According to the military’s media wing, the ISPR, the corps commanders paid special tribute to all Shuhada (martyrs) and their families for supreme sacrifices rendered for peaceful and secure Pakistan, especially the recent incidents in Balochistan.

“Their sacrifices won’t go waste. Terrorists and their abettors will be defeated at all costs,” the ISPR quoted the corps commanders as saying.

The forum undertook comprehensive review of regional and domestic security environment with a special focus on the situation along the borders, internal security and other professional matters of the army.

Indian border guards frequently flout a ceasefire agreement with Pakistan and target civilian population with small and heavy arms on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control (LoC).

In 2020, Indian forces carried out 3,097 ceasefire violations, resulting in 28 martyrdoms and serious injuries to 257 innocent civilians, according to official stats. Indian troops also targeted a vehicle of UN military observers in a brazen attack which Pakistan has requested the global body to investigate.

The forum specially discussed the ongoing security situation along the LoC, Working Boundary and eastern border of the country.

The corps commanders’ conference also coincided with the Right to Self-Determination Day for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). On January 5, 1949, the United Nations Commission on India and Pakistan adopted the resolution that guarantees a free and fair plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir to enable the Kashmiri people realise their right to self-determination.

The top commanders expressed complete solidarity “with resilient and brave Kashmiri brethren till the realisation of their just cause in accordance with their aspirations and relevant UN Security Council resolutions”.

Decades of atrocities by Indian occupation forces have failed to suppress ever strengthening freedom struggle of Kashmiris, the ISPR quoted the commanders as saying. “Determined Kashmiris shall succeed, InshaAllah.”

The forum also expressed satisfaction over positive developments in the Afghan peace process and efforts made for regional peace and stability. A day earlier US point-man on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad had a meeting with the army and ISI chiefs to discuss the ongoing peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan negotiators.

Dilating upon the current security environment, the military commanders noted that defeat of complete threat spectrum is only possible through a comprehensive national effort, where all segments of the society play their rightful role.

“Training and professional pursuits must remain our prime focus to enhance operational preparedness and thwart any possible misadventure,” the forum noted.

Highest standards of capability and maintaining cutting edge at all levels is vital to meet all challenges in tandem with other elements of national power, the ISPR quoted General Qamar as saying.

The corps commanders also voiced extreme respect and appreciation for all those who are putting their lives at stake fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic which has claimed more than 10,000 lives in Pakistan.