COAS pledges full support to K-P police

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has vowed that Pakistan Army will continue to extend full support to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police and other law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) in the newly merged districts along the Afghan border, the military said on Friday.

General Munir made the comments while visiting troops in the Orakzai District who had participated in the recent counterterrorism actions in Tirah Valley and surrounding areas.

During the visit, the army chief was given a comprehensive briefing on the overall security situation, ongoing intelligence-based counterterrorism actions and multi-prong measures being undertaken to ensure stability in the merged districts, an Inter-Services Public Relations news release said.

In his interaction with officers and troops, the COAS appreciated their high morale and readiness to give an effective response against all types of threat. He reiterated the resolve to comprehensively defeat hostile terrorist nexus and eliminate activities in illegal spectrum.

Paying rich tribute to Shuhada and Ghazis of the army and LEAs, the COAS said that the hard-earned peace achieved with the nation's great sacrifices would be maintained at all costs. "The sacrifices of our martyrs strengthen our resolve to fight with utmost dedication and spirit of sacrifice."

The army chief lauded the contributions being made by the police and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. "The army will continue to provide all-out support to K-P police and other LEAs in enabling them to perform their duties in the newly merged districts," General Munir said.

The COAS emphasised the need of continued capacity building of the LEAs. He also appreciated the support of local population in assisting security forces, noting that their positive role was essential in sustaining peace in the area.

Earlier upon his arrival, the COAS laid the wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada and was received by the Corps Commander Peshawar.

The army chief's visit came amid mounting unrest within the police ranks. Protests erupted following the killing of a police officer guarding a polio vaccination team in the southern district of Bannu on Thursday.

Unknown assailants shot and killed the officer, prompting hundreds of Bannu police officers to stage a sit-in at Maulana Abdul Sattar Shah Bukhari Chowk. Trade organisations joined the protest, calling for a citywide shutter-down strike, which also led to the blocking of the Bannu-Miranshah Road.

The protest gained further momentum when police officers from Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, and Bajaur announced solidarity strikes. Police in Lakki Marwat had earlier launched their own sit-in following increasing attacks on officers. In Bajaur, officers declared a boycott of polio security duty after a policeman and a polio worker were killed in a targeted attack in Salarzai tehsil.

Bajaur police personnel also staged a sit-in at the district headquarters in Khar, issuing a five-day ultimatum to the government, warning that they would resign en masse if their demands for better security were not met.