Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa on Tuesday made it clear that nexus between terrorists in remote areas and their facilitators in urban centres would be severed at all costs, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

He said this during a visit to Corps Headquarters Peshawar for an in-depth briefing on operations and the way forward in FATA, KP and Malakand Division, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Praising the gains of counter-terrorism operations, the general said that focus must remain on indiscriminate IBOs, combing operations for stabilisation and consolidation.

He said, “Having created conditions for governance and socio-economic reforms, Army will stand by our valiant tribals and work with the govt to bring about an equitable development across FATA for peace and prosperity in the entire region.”

The COAS also reviewed progress towards border management and directed to expedite all construction work and capacity building of Frontier Constabulary to effectively check all illegal cross border movement.

Bajwa was also apprised about concentration of terrorists across the border in Afghanistan and their continued efforts for an activity inside Pakistan. The COAS observed that for optimum effect of sealing their movement either side, the border management would have to be bilateral both by Pakistan and Afghanistan on their respective sides.

He particularly emphasised on progress of return of temporary displaced persons (TDPs) and directed completion of their dignified return. He said the TDPs must be helped to resettle in their native towns with social infrastructure in place, in conjunction with the civil government. Earlier on arrival, Gen Bajwa was received by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Hidayatur Rehman.