Keep hands off Pakistan, Gen Raheel warns foreign forces

QUETTA: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday warned foreign forces and spy agencies against destabilising Pakistan by supporting insurgents in Balochistan.
During a visit to Quetta, the army chief met the governor and chief minister of Balochistan and commander Southern Command, ISPR said.General Raheel said those found involved in funding and facilitating terrorists will be dealt with iron hands.
He warned the anti-state elements to get prepared for facing dire consequences and said that those found involved in any sort of activity against the national interest will not be spared. He said the armed forces responsible for security will go to anylength to establish writ of the state. He said the Army will unearth terrorists, abettors, sympathisers and financiers and none of them will find place to hide in the country. General Raheel said the armed forces of Pakistan are striving hard to bring peace and prosperity to Balochistan.
He said that Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) will continue its construction projects in the area.The army chief expressed his condolences over killing of workers in Turbat and warned all miscreants and foreign intelligence agencies to refrain from interference in the country.
He said the Army will continue supporting the Balochistan government till terrorism is wiped out.General Raheel also visited the FC Headquarters and reviewed security situation and the progress made in the FC operation against terrorists.
Highlighting security challenges of Balochistan, the COAS emphasised need to adopt integrated approach by civil and military leadership and LEAs for peace in the province. — AgenciesMuhammad Saleh Zaafir adds from Islamabad: The issue of the involvement of external hands, particularly by the near vicinity of the country in the situation of Balochistan, would be raised more vehemently on international forums while on ground such elements would be crushed through the use of brute force.
This was decided in an important meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday evening at the PM House.The army chief during his Quetta visit had detailed deliberations with the high ups of military and civil administration.
Well placed sources told The News that the meeting between the prime minister and the COAS continued for about three quarters of an hour and the two were in complete harmony to address the issue. General Raheel briefed the prime minister about his findings of the situation in Balochistan. The visit and meeting of General Raheel had added significance since it took place in the wake of brutal assassination of innocent 20 labourers near Turbat last week. The responsibility was later claimed by a group of insurgents. The security agencies later in a daredevil action killed 13 insurgents in less than 48 hours by conducting raids. The PM House stated after the meeting in its brief release that matters relating to Balochistan situation came under discussion.
Earlier in the day, according to Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa, DG ISPR, the COAS vowed to support Balochistan in fighting terrorism.Analysts are of the view that the visit of General Raheel Sharif to Quetta has greatly helped in further booting the morale of people and forces.