President Alvi spends time with soldiers injured in Bannu operation

President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalpindi on Friday to meet the officers and soldiers injured in an operation to clear a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) complex in Bannu seized by militants.

He met with the officers and soldiers who got injured while clearing the CTD complex Bannu, and remained with the injured soldiers for some time to inquire about their well-being.

President praised their bravery and resolve to fight against terrorism, the military's media wing said in a statement. 

A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi to meet the officers and injured soldiers.

During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the government would establish writ of the state at any cost and no one would be allowed to derail the hard-earned gains of war on terrorism. 

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PM Shehbaz said that the martyrs and their families rendered supreme sacrifices for ensuring the safety and security of the people of Pakistan, the statement added.

“We are determined to fight out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and breaking the nexus between terrorists, their supporters and sympathisers till achieving peaceful and stable environment,” the ISPR quoted the premier as saying.

“The writ of the state will be established at all costs and no one will be allowed to derail the hard-earned gains of war on terror achieved through unparalleled sacrifices of the nation as well as the valiant armed forces,” it added.

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On December 18, a detained terrorist at the CTD complex overpowered a constable, snatching his weapon and freeing 34 other detained comrades. 

Around 48 hours later, the army’s elite commandos successfully defused the hostage situation and killed 25 militants who had seized the CTD police station. Soldiers from the Special Service Group (SSG) foiled the militants’ attempt to escape the facility after their demand to provide them with a safe passage to Afghanistan was rejected.