Army chief offers Eid prayers with soldiers in Waziristan

Expresses satisfaction over progress of Zarb-e-Azb; says counter terrorism operations in urban areas will continue

RAWALPINDI: Army chief General Raheel Sharif offered Eid prayers on the frontlines with Pakistan Army soldiers in Waziristan on Saturday.

The army chief offered Eid prayers in WANA, South Waziristan and met troops present, according to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.

#COAS offering Eid prayers on the front lines with troops in Waziristan pic.twitter.com/sIFeOadGgp

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2015

Eid Mubarak.With terrorism being defeated&visible signs of security improving,Pak bound to rise.will continue till completion of mission

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2015

#COAS,after Chand Raat&Eid,returns from Waziristan.Apart from troops,met local elders of Edak Village,NWA also.They praised outcome of ops-1

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2015

"With terrorism being defeated and visible signs of security improving, Pakistan is bound to rise," the statement said, adding operations against terrorists will continue till their complete elimination.

Read: Army chief reaches Waziristan to spend Eid with troops

The COAS also visited Eidak in North Waziristan, where he met troops as well as the TDPs who have safely returned to their homes.



COAS at Eidak village. PHOTO: ISPR

Paying rich tributes to the martyrs and wounded, the army chief said we could never forget them, especially on the occasion of Eid.

Paying rich tributes to Shuhada said,we can never forget them at such occasion.Their best remembrance not to let their sacrifice go waste-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2015

“Their best remembrance is not to let their sacrifice go waste. These handful of terrorists are on the run and will not find any place to hide,” the ISPR quoted General Raheel.

Handful terrorists on the run,won't find place to hide.Besides FATA,proactive ctr terrorism ops in urban areas producing desired effects-4

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2015

He added that alongside FATA, counter terrorism operations in urban areas would also continue.

Read: Most of APS attackers have ‘met their fate’

“Our equal focus will now remain on finding terror financing, choking all their sources, and apprehending all financiers, abettors and sympathisers,” he said.

Our equal focus will now remain on finding terror financing,choking all their sources,&apprehending all financiers,abbettors&sympathizers-5

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2015

The army chief also visited TDPs camp in Bannu to spend time with tribal brethren from North Waziristan. He assured them of the wholehearted support and commitment of the army and the nation in providing them not only relief but in executing an ultimate resettlement plan for them.



PHOTO: ISPR

visited TDP Camp Bannu.Assured wholehearted support &commitment of Army&the nation in relief,resettlement plan-6 pic.twitter.com/9MhWqjx1Ea

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2015

Emphasized we are long time partners in peace building.Directed timely repatriation&better quality development work-7 pic.twitter.com/GSAEYeJLga

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2015

Earlier on Friday, General Raheel arrived in Waziristan to spend Eid with troops.

Even last year, the COAS spent Eidul Fitr with army soldiers by staying overnight at the Miramshah camp.

Courage of security guard in Quetta hailed

Army chief General Raheel Sharif also paid rich tributes to the valour and sacrifice of private security guard Talib Hussain who averted a terrorist attack in Quetta on Friday night, Radio Pakistan reported.

Hussain was on guard outside the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University on Brewery Road near Hazara Town when he intercepted a suspect. The suspect, wearing a burqa, detonated his suicide vest, killing Hussain.

According to ISPR, General Raheel Sharif said that they were proud of Talib Hussain who saved precious lives.

COAS expresses satisfaction over progress of Zarb-e-Azb

Meanwhile, he was briefed by operational commanders on progress of the continuing offensive against terrorists, Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

The COAS expressed complete satisfaction over the progress and achievements on the ground so far.