Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa met with troops deployed at Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies on Thursday.

The COAS interacted with tribal elders and met with the kins of those who embraced martyrdom during yesterday’s terrorist attack at Ghalanai and offered respects and condolences.

He lauded the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) at Mohmand, especially Levis for thwarting yesterday’s suicide attack, minimizing the loss of lives. He also appreciated the troops for effectively responding to cross border attack from Afghanistan on Pakistani post last week. He said that cooperation between our brave citizens, army, LEAs and intelligence agencies is basis of our success against terrorism. He said that terrorists are trying to regroup in safe havens in Afghanistan and are attempting to spread doubt and despondency in our society.

“We all collectively shall fail their desperate manoeuvres,”he said. The COAS added that efforts to ensure that our soil is not used against any other country shall continue. Hostile agencies should avoid playing with regional peace and stability as we reserve the right to respond, despite our current policy of restraint.

Bajwa assured the local tribes that Pakistan Army will continue its efforts to improve infrastructure in FATA including roads, health, education and community development projects. Army fully supports initiatives for mainstreaming of FATA being undertaken in accordance with the wishes of the people, COAS concluded.