Terror-crime nexus with political patronage won’t be allowed: Army

RAWALPINDI: The top army brass of the country on Wednesday pledged to counter any Indian aggression with a swift and decisive response, shattering any perceived notion of India’s relative safety accruing from geography.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir presided over the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters which maintained that any imaginary new normal will be met with a new normal of swift retributive response.

The forum expressed grave concerns on the recent irresponsible and unwarranted provocative statements by Indian civil and military leadership, the Inter-Services Public Relations in a statement said.

It noted that such rhetoric conforms to the well-known Indian propensity of whipping up war hysteria for political benefits. The CCC participants agreed that unwarranted warmongering is likely to lead to heightened tensions and will endanger regional peace and security. The meeting commenced with Fateha for the martyrs of recent terrorist attacks orchestrated by Indian terror proxies.

The COAS commended the spirit, resolve and determination of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the war against foreign-sponsored terror proxies and during extensive relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of recent floods, in conjunction with civil administration and other law enforcement agencies.

The forum undertook a comprehensive review of ongoing counter-terrorism operations, emerging threat paradigm, and operational readiness. It reaffirmed that the armed forces remain ready to thwart inimical designs of Pakistan’s adversaries across all domains.

The top military leadership also made it clear that the existing nexus between terror and crime with vested political patronage, which is gravely hurting the interests of State and security of its people, will not be allowed to continue anymore, come what may.

The participants expressed resolve to pursue comprehensive counterterrorism operations across all domains to continue to dismantle the networks of Indian-sponsored terror proxies like Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna Al-Hindustan. The participants acknowledged the significance of Pakistan’s recent high-level diplomatic engagements and reaffirmed the commitment to global and regional peace. They welcomed the landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aimed at strengthening strategic relations and enhancing multi-domain cooperation for a joint response to any external aggression.

“This agreement underscores shared values, mutual respect, and a joint vision for peace and security in the Middle Eastern and South Asian regions,” the CCC participants observed.

The forum also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and hoped for early ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. It reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on Palestine issue, voicing support for the two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state, based on pre-1967 borders and Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital. The forum reiterated Pakistan’s uncompromising support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination, as enshrined in relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In his closing remarks, Field Marshal Asim Munir directed the commanders to ensure the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, physical fitness, innovation and responsiveness. The COAS expressed full confidence in the operational preparedness of the Pakistan Army to counter threats across the entire spectrum, from conventional and sub-conventional, to hybrid and asymmetric threats.