The army spokesperson said the armed forces have successfully cleared 253 square kilometres of area occupied by militants, while taking down 52 terrorists to the death, 4 got arrested while one surrendered himself before the armed forces.
The operation was launched under Radd-ul-Fasaad, a countrywide anti-terror initiative launched by the military to wipe out terrorists. The operation Khyber-IV was aimed at securing the international border with Afghanistan by preventing Daesh and other local militants on Afghan side of the border from infiltration. The Khyber-IV operation was launched on July 15 this year and complete on August 21.
"It was a well-planned and study operation," Major General Asif Ghafoor said while adding that the army has taken care of lives of Pakistan Army soldiers who go ahead to fight for the cause. Two soldiers were martyred and 15 were injured during the operation, he further said.
In order to create a more permanent security presence in the volatile area, the Army has also established 91 check posts in Rajgal Valley. Referring to other intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the country, the DG ISPR added that 24,000 operations have been carried out in Pakistan and the operations have led to a significant decline in incidents of terror.
He said security forces have recovered several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the operation. A device labelled as "made in India" was also recovered during the operation, he added. "Under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, 3,300 IBOs were conducted across the country out of which 1,728 were conducted in Punjab," said DG ISPR.
In Sindh, DG ISPR said 1,467 IBOs were conducted and there was one incident of terror in 2017 as compared to 57 in 2013 and 34 incidents of target killing in Karachi this year against 965 in 2013.
In Balochistan, a major operation was carried out by intelligence agencies on August 12 which foiled August 14 terror bid. In KP and FATA, border management improved by Pakistan unilaterally and eight cross-border attacks were foiled on the night before August 14. "In terms of street crimes in cities like Karachi, the situation will get better once the police force is made stronger," he said.
The DG ISPR briefed the press on development programmes being undertaken in areas cleared during counter-insurgency operations, including infrastructural development, youth employment, medical facilities and de-radicalization programmes.
The DG ISPR said that around 500 families had been living in this area, which are currently staying in safer places as temporarily displaced persons (TDPs). He further said that 95 per cent of the TDPs have returned to their homes after completion of military operation in the valleys while remaining 5 per cent either did not want to go back or got themselves settled in other areas. "Over the years, Pakistan Army managed to restore normalcy in war-torn areas. This includes the construction of 258 water supply schemes, 147 schools, 17 health units, 67 markets and 27 mosques," said the army spokesman.
The DG ISPR said a terror network behind attacking mosque in Rawalpindi in 2013 had also been busted. The arrested terrorists had attacked a mosque of the same sect which they belonged to and were instructed by their handlers to dress in black clothes.
"We set the place ablaze and opened fire," said the arrested terrorist commander in a video shared by DG ISPR during the conference. The attack took place in Rawalpindi's Raja Bazaar in 2013. "These terrorists were linked with a network of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav," said DG Ghafoor. He said the sectarian conflict did not start despite numerous attempts made by the enemies of the state.
Asif Ghafoor said that this Independence Day was observed with traditional zeal and fervour and Pakistani flag was hoisted at such places where it was not possible earlier. He also refuted the Indian claim that the flag hoisted at Wagah Border was for spying purpose. "By the grace of Allah (SWT), we hoisted the highest flag of South Asia (on August 14). Although Indians were saying that we fitted an spying instrument in the flag, yet there is no reality in this claim. We do not need to hoist a flag for spying purpose, our intelligence agencies are capable to gather any intelligence we require," he said. "Terrorist networks in Afghanistan and other neighboring countries should be busted and it is in our own interests," he added.
The DG stated that there is no terrorist network in Pakistan. He added, "We have told the United States (US) that indiscriminate action is being taken against terrorists in the country."
The DG ISPR further said that Pakistan is the only country which fought terrorism all by itself. The army spokesman reiterated that no civil-military divide exists in the country and the Army is an organ of the state which is not involved in any political matters. "Difference of opinions can exist but that does not mean there is a divide between the civil and military leadership." He added whatever political statements General Pervez Musharraf (retd) made were said by him as a politician.
When asked about the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), the DG ISPR said the army was not associated with any political matter. He went on to say that they are in support of FATA reforms as the people should be given their rights.
He said that India wants to declare the freedom movement of Kashmiris as a "terrorist movement." Referring to Dawn Leaks, Ghafoor said the government has the prerogative to start an inquiry in whichever case it so wishes. He said that terrorists involved in Arfa Karim IT Park blast, Lahore, wanted to target Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. However, the plan was changed at the very last moment and they targeted police.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017