‘Terrorists, facilitators being eliminated in combing operations’

COAS directs stringent measures to check cross-border movement

PESHAWAR: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said terrorists and their facilitators are being eliminated due to combing operations of security forces.

The army chief was addressing the troops engaged in combing operations in the Kurram Agency.

An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said he was briefed in detail by the operation commander about the security situation in the Kurram Agency and the combing operation in Thall.

Expressing satisfaction at the progress of combing operations and the resultant security environment, the army chief appreciated the valour and gains made by the troops and the value these operations are bringing to cleaning of the area from terrorists and their sympathisers.

“As we consolidate gains of emphasis is on rooting out all their sleeper cells and a network of facilitators from Fata and across rest of the country,” General Raheel said. He reiterated that the operations would continue across the board without any discrimination and Pakistan will not allow any terrorist to use its soil for terrorism against any other country.

The COAS reviewed new deployments and structures being made to improve border management. He directed stringent measures to check all cross border movement indiscriminately, in coordination with Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan.

Earlier on arrival at Kurram Agency, the army chief was received by Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Hidayatur Rehaman.