ISLAMABAD: A day after one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Pakistan’s history, the country’s top military brass on Tuesday met and discussed the prevailing and emerging terror threat.
The corps commanders conferences was presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, who on Monday was in Peshawar along with Prime Minister Shebhaz Sharif following the suicide bombing at Police Lines killing scores of people mostly policemen.
Against the backdrop of resurgence of terrorism in the country, the military commanders were briefed in detail about prevailing and emerging threats, according to the military’s media wing on Tuesday.
As per the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), they were also briefed on the ongoing intelligence based operations being undertaken by army and law enforcement agencies for breaking the nexus between terrorists and their support mechanism across the country.
Without naming any country, the statement referred to Afghanistan, from where Pakistan believes the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates operate.
The government is no longer pursuing a policy to seek negotiations with the TTP, according to officials. Instead Pakistan has asked the Afghan Taliban to fulfil their promise to eliminate the terrorist sanctuaries of the TTP.
In a rare move, the Afghan Taliban condemned the Peshawar suicide bombing, saying the targeting the places of worships had no justification. The public condemnation of the interim Afghan government is believed to have compelled the TTP to issue a statement denying its involvement, though one of its commanders earlier took the responsibility.
The TTP’s move, some observers believe, could be tactical as it wanted to avoid any backlash from the Afghan Taliban.
Meanwhile, the forum paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Peshawar Police Line blast and vowed that perpetrators will be brought to exemplary justice.
The army chief was quoted as saying: “Such immoral and cowardly acts cannot shake resolve of the nation rather reinvigorate our determination to succeed in ongoing war against terror with Zero tolerance for any terrorist entity.”
General Asim directed all commanders to continue focus on anti-terrorism operations in coordination with intelligence and law enforcement agencies with renewed resolve till the time we achieve sustainable peace.
Moreover, the forum taking notice of human rights violations and Indian design to alter demographics of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), reaffirmed army’s commitment to Pakistan’s principal support to indigenous freedom struggle of brave Kashmiri people as per relevant UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of the Kashmir.
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