Looming threat: Nisar warns of attacks on ‘soft targets’

Interior minister vows operations to continue till last terrorist eliminated

PESHAWAR: The interior minister has warned of more terrorist attacks on ‘soft targets’ across the country. “Terrorists are planning to hit a soft target somewhere in the country,” Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said while speaking at the passing-out parade of the Frontier Corps (FC) at the Scouts Training Academy (STA) in Warsak on Friday.

“The menace of terrorism, coupled with extremism, has devoured thousands of innocent lives. Schools, places of worship, markets, women, elderly people and even children are not safe.

“These cowards kill innocent and unarmed citizens, and intelligence reports suggest they are planning to strike some more soft targets,” the minister said.

Acknowledging the sacrifices of the armed forces, he said terrorist activities had reduced in the country because of the efforts of security forces. “The ongoing joint military operation (Zarb-e-Azb) is going on with success and terrorists are on the run, however, they are not finished yet.”



Nisar asked the security personnel to remain extra vigilant, pointing out that they had a double responsibility on their shoulders – to perform duties on the borders and also within the country. He made it clear that the war would continue till the elimination of the last terrorist.

The minister said some elements had started violent activities in the name of Islam not only in the country but in the whole region, unleashing chaos in the country. “This is not Islam. Islam teaches us tolerance, brotherhood and peace.”

A total of 1,437 scouts graduated in the 19th batch at the STU. These scouts were trained for six months in three different locations – Tal, Khar and Warsak.

Talking to the media, Commandant STA Colonel Muhammad Kamran claimed the FC training was tougher than that of the army. “After undergoing training, army troops go to camps, whereas FC personnel have to go to war zones.”

FC Inspector Major General Tayyab Azam, FC Major Khan Muhammad and other officers of the paramilitary force and military were also in attendance at the ceremony.

The interior minister also visited Mardan along with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to offer condolence to former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Amir Haider Khan over the death of his father, Azam Khan Hoti who passed away a few days ago.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2015.