Daily Times

The geographical location of Pakistan puts it in an important position in strategic politics and vital security concerns not only in the region but also in the realm of international relations. The crumbling state of affairs of security in Afghanistan and at the eastern border and ever fluctuating ties with India are constantly liable to fall prey to diplomatic unease and more alarmingly to destabilising infiltration. Where these borders with India and Afghanistan pose vulnerable security threats the other parts of our border such as with China is an opportunity to viable progress and prosperity. Undoubtedly this susceptibility of borders also presents an opportunity for strengthening our internal security better by ceasing the terrorist’s influx from across the borders through penetrative points. It is a matter of fact that besides this aspect of porous borders, there were parts of our soil which were “no go areas” working as readymade safe havens for terrorists.

Keeping in view this target of purging every inch of our soil from terrorists and alien militant elements, the daring operation of Zarb-e-Azb was conceived in 2014. Our civil and military leadership with an ambitious zeal and zest started this operation with massive popular support. And proudly Pakistan Army had unfailing strategic and operational planning to make this operation a remarkable success in the field. On 15 June 2016, operation Zarb e Azb completed its successful two years and now its goals aligned with roadmap of National Action Plan (NAP) is the promising way forward for the country.

The operation Zarb-e-Azb started from North Waziristan and was aimed at targeting safe havens of terrorists, suicide bombing squads, land mines, training camps and supply of illegal weaponry. Meanwhile, special attention was given towards an important consequential issue of innocent resident civilians in such terrorist blended areas. All innocent civilians were moved out to temporary camps to carry out military operations indiscriminately with full force. The 36 KM terrain of North Waziristan came under complete control of security forces after destroying all kinds of militant elements there. The same pattern of successful and brave military operation against militants was carried out in South Waziristan, Data khail, Shawal valley , FATA, and Swat in which terrorist’s obvious fronts were courageously dismantled. According to ISPR ‘s issued statistics, during these two years of operation more than 3,500 terrorists were killed, almost 1,000 hideouts were destroyed and 253 tons of explosive was seized which was enough to make ammunition supply for 15 years. And in this valiant endeavour 500 hundred soldiers embraced shahadat while fighting from the front.

After considerable completion of operation Zarb-e- Azb the second phase of development and rehabilitation as articulated in the National Action Plan has been started in tribal areas. The work to build basic civic infrastructure in these purged areas has been started so as to facilitate the return of internally displaced people (IDPs) and their proper rehabilitation in their native areas. Various schools, mosques, markets, 700KM of roads and 100 beds hospital have so far been built. The government and army aims at working proactively to equip these areas with all basic infrastructural civic facilities so as to regularise this part of land.

Moreover, to ensure sustainable peace and security in these cleansed areas the issue of strict border management at the border with Afghanistan has been strongly taken up by our civil and military leadership. At Torkham crossing point of the Durand line, Pakistan stuck to its stance of building a gate for proper management. There is lot to be done in this direction to completely streamline the crossings at this border but due focus given by our leadership shows the sincerity to resolve this vital and complex issue.

In compliance with the National Action Plan (NAP), physical outlets of militants are being targeted through information based operations (IBOs) all over the country. Karachi operation is a glaring example of the strategy reinforced by NAP. This operation has sliced down acts of terrorism in the city up to 80%. In 2013 Karachi was ranked at number 6 in the mega city crime index and after three years of operation in the city it is now ranked at 32. In Punjab 280 IBOs were conducted which targeted criminal elements and operation against chotu gang etc is its highlight. Moreover, 1130 extremist elements were traced and 649 persons were booked for facilitating hate speeches. In Balochistan process of reconciliation has progressed well and so far 625 Ferraris have been repossessed by the authorities. Government and law enforcement agencies are working actively to bring estranged Baloch brethren to the mainstream.

According to official statistics, under NAP 8,852 armed militants of banned outfits were arrested throughout the country and 332 were executed through anti terrorism Act so far. Moreover military courts have also hanged “black terrorists” involved in APS attack Peshawar, Safora goth attack and several other acts of terrorism. In order to break communication network of terrorist 98.3 million SIMs, 933 URLs and 10 websites of militant organisations have been blocked. In Sindh 167, in KPK 13 and in Punjab two madrassas were closed after their links with terrorists were established. For general awareness and as an effort to build counter narrative against militancy first step has been taken by providing lists of terrorists and proscribed organisations to Ministry of Information Broadcasting &NH and PEMRA so that strictly implement ban on glorification of terrorism in media whereas, 126 bank accounts of banned organization having deposits of Rs 1 Billion have been frozen.

Now the need of the hour is to keep up the speed and build on these positives achievements. The prime minister rightly said that gains of operation Zarb-e-Azab and National Action Plan “will be consolidated through well coordinated and concerted efforts at federal and provincial levels”.