Army Chief General Asim Munir visited Peshawar on Monday where he was briefed on the ongoing counter-terrorism operations against “Fitna Al Khawarij” and the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations, the briefing was also attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
The statement added that the COAS lauded the role of the armed forces as well as law enforcement agencies in fighting terrorism at the cost of numerous sacrifices.
“As we stand united against the forces of evil, I am immensely proud of the remarkable achievements of our security forces. Through their dedication, courage, and supreme sacrifices, we have successfully degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist organizations, both within our borders and beyond,” General Munir was quoted by ISPR as saying.
“Our forces have relentlessly pursued and eliminated key terrorist leaders, dismantled their infrastructure, and neutralized their cells, sending a clear message that terror has no place in our land. This war is ongoing and we would take it to its logical conclusion, InshAllah,” he added.
ISPR added that the COAS expressed a resolve to upkeep peace in the country and said that any threats will be dealt with ‘decisive and overwhelming’ force.
“The enemy may try to sow discord and fear, but we will not relent. Hostile elements will be dealt with an iron hand. They will continue to suffer heavy losses, and their capacity to inflict harm will be decimated,” said the COAS.
The COAS also lauded the exceptional morale of the troops calling the armed forces and law enforcement agencies ‘an unbreakable force’ in the defence of Pakistan.
Apart from the briefing, the army chief also interacted with leaders from the province’s political parties. ISPR said that the political leaders showed ‘unflinching’ support for the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terror. Photos issued by the ISPR showed Aftab Sherpao, Mahmood Khan and Hafiz Naeem among the political leaders present.
General Munir’s visit came on the same day when authorities began the process of dismantling bunkers in Kurram, days after a peace agreement was signed between the warring parties in the area.
A recent report revealed that 2024 was the deadliest year in terms of terrorism in the last decade. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was hit the heaviest with over 1,600 casulaties.
