Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday raised Pakistan’s concerns over a “blame game perpetrated by some quarters in Afghanistan and US to undermine Pakistan’s contributions” in the war against terrorism. The concerns were shared in a meeting with the Commander, Resolute Support Mission (RSM) and United States Forces in Afghanistan, Gen John W Nicholson.

“It is not a coincidence that this theme is being played at a time when a policy review is being undertaken in the US,” Gen Bajwa told Gen Nicholson, according to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“Pakistan will continue to act positively despite provocations,” he said. The ISPR statement said that Gen Nicholson had appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Army and expressed his admiration for the resilience of the Pakistanis. The two generals also agreed on the need for “continuous engagement and coordination for peace and stability in the region,” ISPR said. US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale was also present. On July 22, the ISPR announced the successful completion of the first phase of Operation Khyber-4.

The ISPR added that the valley associated with Brekh Top is now being cleared. The mountain top itself was cleared in an operation carried out by the Special Services Group (SSG) on Friday. “Every inch of Pakistan will be peaceful, no one can beat resilient Pakistan,” the ISPR had said in a press release. During the operation to clear Brekh Top, many terrorists were killed with a few managing to escape to Afghanistan, the ISPR had said.

Published in Daily Times, July 25^th 2017.