COAS vows to crush terrorists’ revival attempts

ISLAMABAD:

Amidst a surge in terrorist attacks in the country, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday made it clear that desperate attempts by terrorists seeking their revival would not be allowed to succeed.

The army chief gave the statement while presiding over the 247th Corps Commanders’ conference at the GHQ held in the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, as in just two weeks at least two dozen security personnel embraced martyrdom in multiple terrorist attacks.

The coordinated and sophisticated terrorist attacks in Balochistan’s Panjgur and Naushki districts have raised concerns over the return of terrorism in Pakistan. The surge in the terrorist attacks was witnessed not just in Balochistan but in the erstwhile tribal areas as well. In addition cross border terrorist attacks also increased. In one such incident, at least five Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom after terrorists based in Afghanistan targeted a check-post along the border.

Also read: Forces repulse two terror attacks in Balochistan

The incident triggered a strong reaction from Pakistan, which condemned the use of the Afghan soil while urging the interim Taliban government to take steps to stop such attacks. What is worrying for the Pakistani authorities is the sophistication with which the terrorists launched recent attacks. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a propaganda video showed its terrorists using latest night vision snipers to target the Pakistani check-posts.

A UN monitory report sent to the Security Council earlier this week cited that there were between 3,000 to 5,000 TTP terrorists based in Afghanistan. The report noted that contrary to the pledges made by the Afghan Taliban, foreign terrorists enjoy great freedom in the war-torn country.

Pakistan hoped that the terrorist attacks as well as TTP sanctuaries would end in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. But the number of such attacks has gone up, instead. This has raised concerns in Islamabad that the Afghan Taliban either does not have the writ or are unwilling to act against militant organisations.

Against this backdrop, the top brass was given a detailed briefing on the internal security situation, particularly the recent incidents in Balochistan, read a statement issued by the military’s media wing. “The participants were apprised on the measures being undertaken to counter hostile efforts to destabilise Pakistan,” according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Read more: PM Imran vows ‘befitting response’ to terrorists in Naushki visit

“The forum paid tribute to the martyrs who gave ultimate sacrifice for the defence of the country while valiantly repulsing recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Inflicting heavy losses on them,” the statement added. The Army chief expressed satisfaction over operational preparedness of the formations and safeguards in place to thwart designs of inimical forces.

“We have come a long way in our fight against terrorism. Armed Forces, with the support of the nation, have conducted successful operations against terrorists of all hue and colour. Their desperate attempts for revival won’t be allowed to succeed,” General Qamar was quoted as saying by the ISPR.
“We will eliminate all remnants of terrorists, their abettors and accomplices whatever is the cost,” he added.

According to the official handout, the army chief directed all formations to concentrate on maintaining high standards of basic military training to ensure effective execution of operations in conventional/sub-conventional domain.