Says operations to continue till complete elimination of terrorists
ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheeel Sharif has vowed that terrorist networks and their linkages are being unearthed across the country and this nexus would be broken at all costs to bring enduring peace to every nook and corner of Pakistan.
The army chief was talking to troops posted in North Waziristan Agency on Saturday on a visit to the area where he spent his day with troops and tribals.
The COAS was briefed in detail by the formation commander about the recent progress of the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb, intelligence based operations (IBOs) and the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The people of the area expressed pleasure at the presence of the army chief amidst them.
Appreciating the progress, General Raheel vowed to continue operations till the total elimination of terrorists. The COAS, who has been leading the operations from the front, has been regularly visiting NWA to make assessments of the situation personally and spend time with the troops who have rendered remarkable performance in fighting the terrorists in the area.
While talking to troops on the occasion, General Raheel commended the officers and men for their courage, determination and spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in the war against terrorism. Appreciating the hard work by intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies (LEAs), General Raheel said terrorist networks and their linkages are being unearthed across the country and this nexus will be broken at all costs.
The COAS was also briefed on the ongoing rehabilitation work and its effects on the socio-economic landscape of the area. He was satisfied with the pace of rehabilitation work and directed all concerned to ensure a dignified return of the IDPs to a better built and rehabilitated area.
Later, the army chief interacted with tribal elders and recently returned IDPs, and assured them that the army will continue to remain in the area till the completion of the resettlement process. The tribal elders paid rich tributes to the army for the successful operations and affirmed that with the help of the army, the terrorists will never be allowed to return to the area. He also inaugurated the 110-bed Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Mir Ali, which has been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.
He appreciated the Army Engineers for their dedicated efforts in executing quality construction work. To enhance education standards and help locals benefit from the emerging economic opportunities, the COAS announced the construction and opening of a cadet college around Mir Ali for the children of Waziristan. Earlier on his arrival, the COAS was received by Corps Commander Peshawar, Lieutenant General Hidayatur Rehman. Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Asim Salim Bajwa was also accompanying the COAS on the trip. According to the ISPR, 108,503 displaced families out of 291,827 have returned to their homes, an average of 38 percent. The percentage break-up of returned IDPs is as follow: NWA 15 percent, South Waziristan Agency 15 percent, Kurram Agency 35 percent, Orakzai Agency 34 percent and Khyber Agency 78 percent.
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