Targeted operation: Army chief to walk extra mile for Karachi peace

Gen Raheel for empowering police as apolitical force

KARACHI:

Army chief General Raheel Sharif has laid emphasis on empowering the police as an ‘apolitical and effective force’ and vowed to go to any extent in support of the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi to ensure peace in the volatile metropolitan city.

“An indiscriminate operation [will continue] against all criminals beyond all ethnic, political, religious, sectarian affinities with transparency [and] sincerity of purpose,” Gen Raheel said on Monday during his visit to the Rangers Headquarters in Karachi.

During the hour-long visit, the army chief was given a briefing on the anti-criminal crackdown being carried out by Rangers and other law-enforcing agencies (LEAs) in Karachi.

ISI’s Director General Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar and Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar were also accompanying Gen Raheel. This was the army chief’s first visit to the Rangers’ headquarters since he took over from Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani in November 2013.

The army chief, who also attended the Sindh apex committee meeting and visited the corps headquarters, said the ongoing Rangers’ operation in Karachi has created an environment for sustained peace and stability, according to tweets by ISPR’s Director General Maj Gen Asim Bajwa.

Gen Raheel urged that there should be better coordination among the Rangers, police and intelligence agencies. He also put emphasis on empowering the police as an apolitical and effective force. “Postings [should be made] without interference, through the apex committee,” he said.

“Political expediency can’t generate apolitical response. Crimes are dealt as apolitical. Broad-based consensus, harmony is a must to capitalise on operation’s gains,” he said.

The army chief also underscored the need for political consensus, which, he said, is a must to capitalise on space created for enduring peace. “Karachi plays a great role in the national economy and a peaceful Karachi means a peaceful Pakistan,” he added.

Upon his arrival, the army chief was first given a briefing by Director General (DG) Rangers Sindh Major General Bilal Akbar on the law and order situation in Karachi, particularly the ongoing operation carried out by Rangers along with other law enforcement agencies in the city.

Gen Raheel also inspected the weapons the paramilitary force has seized during the ongoing operation in Karachi. Before leaving the Rangers headquarters, the army chief also met with Rangers soldiers and praised their efforts in restoring stability in the city.

A Rangers spokesperson said the army chief appreciated all the gains made from the operation which, he said, would continue till the elimination of terrorism.

In the operation, which began on September 5, 2013, the paramilitary force has so far conducted more than 7,207 raids and arrested over 12,808 suspects, including over 5,792 criminals, 300 target killers, around 350 extortionists, 70 kidnappers and around 200 terrorists. Over 450 criminals have also been killed in 300-plus encounters while 35 Rangers personnel have also lost their lives.

Similarly, over 10,000 weapons, including LMGs, SMGs, G-3 rifles, RPG-7, Awan launchers, IEDs, grenades, crackers and sniper rifles have also been recovered.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2015.