Defence Day proceedings: Nation’s support a must for defeating terror, says COAS

Gen Raheel visits troops in Mirali, IDP camp in Bannu.

QUETTA/ BANNU:

As he visited army troops in Mirali and displaced tribespeople in Bannu as part of Defence Day proceedings on Saturday, army chief General Raheel Sharif on Saturday likened the nation’s support for Operation Zarb-e-Azb to the support shown for the armed forces during the 1965 war.

At the same time, he reiterated that eliminating terrorism was a ‘national undertaking’ and could only be achieved with the ‘sustained focus of the entire nation’.

Upon arrival in Mirali, which he visited to spend time with troops engaged in the ongoing military operation against militants in North Waziristan, Gen Raheel received a briefing from the operation commander on progress achieved so far.

According to an ISPR press release, the army chief expressed complete satisfaction with the progress and appreciated the efforts of all soldiers and intelligence and aviation officers involved in Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He also paid rich tributes to those martyred and wounded in the fight against militancy, noting that they have rendered ‘the supreme sacrifice for the defence of the nation’.

On his way back from Mirali, the army chief stopped by at an IDP camp in Bannu and spent some time with the displaced tribespeople residing there.

Speaking to internally displaced persons (IDPs), Gen Raheel assured them they would be repatriated to their native areas in North Waziristan after militancy was completely erased from the region. He informed them that nearly 80% of Miramshah, Dattakhel, Mirali and Shawal had already been cleared of militants. He added that development projects would be initiated in North Waziristan once IDPs were repatriated.

During his stay at the Bannu IDP camp, the army chief was briefed on continued relief efforts and the supply of goods for IDPs. He directed concerned authorities to create conditions necessary for the ’safe and happy return’ the IDPs.

Defence Day commemorated in Quetta

A function to commemorate Defence Day was organised in Quetta Cantt on Saturday.

Commander Southern Command Lt-Gen Naseer Janjua and Frontier Corps Balochistan Inspector General Ejaz Shahid attended the function. They laid a wreath at the memorial for martyred soldiers and paid rich tributes to their sacrifices for the country.

Speaking at the event, Lt-Gen Janjua said: “In 1965, the soldiers of Pakistan Army set an example of bravery by fighting to defend the country. The soldiers made us proud and we are following in their footsteps.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2014.