RAWALPINI – On Monday, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations, addressed an important press conference.
The ISPR DG began his press conference by stating that the goal of this communication was to clarify the army’s perspective on some critical issues, and that organised propaganda was being increased by certain quarters who had recently propagated false and fabricated news about the armed forces.
He stated that it had become necessary to address these matters from time to time.
Briefing the media on the security forces’ efforts to eradicate terrorism, he stated that the security forces conducted 22,409 intelligence-based operations, resulting in the elimination of 31 high-profile terrorists. He stated that 137 troops chose martyrdom throughout these actions.
He stated that the security forces perform 112 operations per day.
Responding to an inquiry on ‘Operation Azm-i-Istehkam’, he stated that it was unlike past operations. “No one is going to be displaced this time round,” said the official.
He elaborated on Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, stating that an announcement was made on June 22nd following a meeting chaired by the prime minister in which all parties were present.
He stated that the meeting unanimously agreed that the 2021 National Action Plan (NAP) will be executed in its entirety to rid Pakistan of terrorism.
He went on to say that up to 16,000 seminaries were registered, with 50% still unregistered, and that no one knew who ran them.
He also discussed the formation of anti-terrorism tribunals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to combat terrorism.
The army spokesman also lashed out at “elements involved in illegal smuggling along the Afghan border.”
Answering a question about the recent incident in Bannu, he stated that there were a few armed men marching alongside demonstrators in Bannu, and that they were moving towards the Bannu Cantonment to attack security personnel, to which soldiers responded quickly in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP).
BACKGROUND
Terrorist attacks have increased in recent days, forcing the administration to encourage Afghan militants to rein in their activities.
Last month, the government approved the commencement of operation “Azm-e-Istehkam” as a proper response to terrorist acts in the country.
BANNU CANTONMENT ATTACK.
In a brazen strike, eight Pakistan Army personnel accepted martyrdom when security forces successfully repelled a terrorist attack at the Bannu Cantonment. The forces killed ten militants.
According to the ISPR, up to ten terrorists were killed in an attack after attempting to force their way into Bannu Cantonment. The terrorism act targeted the military in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has seen an increase in violence.
According to a statement, eight army members were killed in the terror attack, and security forces’ quick response helped avoid enormous destruction and human casualties.
The ISPR described the security forces’ response as brave action that demonstrated the military’s will to combat terrorism.
The ISPR also stated that the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, which is currently operating from Afghanistan, was responsible for the recent incident and had previously acted similarly – one of many terror outfits now based in the landlocked country with full assistance from Kabul.
