RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Sunday reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to eliminate terrorists and their facilitators after 16 soldiers were martyred in an attack on a security forces check post in the Makeen area of South Waziristan.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan military’s media wing, in a statement, said that the Army Chief while interacting with the soldiers during a visit to Wana, South Waziristan district said that the army is committed to hunting down Fitna Al Khwarij (Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan) till its elimination along with the facilitator, abettors, and financier who will be made to pay the price for their nefarious activities against the state.
During the visit, the COAS received a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security landscape and ongoing counter-terrorism operations, ISPR stated.
“Interacting with officers and troops, the COAS commended their unwavering resilience and steadfastness in the face of terrorism, reaffirming the nation’s pride in their sacrifices,” ISPR said.
The Army Chief emphasised that the martyrs are the pride of Pakistan and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
“With the resolute support of the nation, the Pakistan Army, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies (LEAs), remains steadfast in its determination to eliminate terrorism and extremism in all its forms, ensuring the restoration of lasting peace and stability across the country, Insha’Allah,” he said.
The ISPR in a statement added the Army Chief highlighted that the courage, resilience, and unyielding determination of Pakistan’s armed forces are the cornerstone of the nation’s sovereignty.
“He described the soldiers of the Armed Forces and LEAs as the true heroes of the nation, whose bravery and selfless dedication inspire the entire country,” the statement said.
Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of terrorist violence in its western border regions since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Afghanistan.
Last year saw casualties hit a six-year high, with more than 1,500 civilians, security forces, and terrorists killed, according to the Islamabad-based Centre for Research and Security Studies.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan’s interim Taliban government of failing to root out terrorists staging attacks on Pakistan from over the border.
The Taliban government had pledged to evict foreign terrorist groups from Afghan soil.
However, a UN Security Council report in July estimated up to 6,500 TTP terrorists are based on Afghanistan’s soil.
The report said the Afghan Taliban show “ad hoc support to, and tolerance of, TTP operations, including the supplying of weapons and permission for training”.
