-Chairs 250th Corps Commanders’ Conference at General Headquarters
-Says maintaining operational readiness must continue
RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa has directed formations to maintain operational readiness and efforts to counter terrorism particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday.
The directives came during the 250th Corps Commanders’ Conference at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi chaired by Gen. Bajwa.
“COAS directed formations to maintain operational readiness and efforts to counter terrorism particularly in KP & Balochistan must continue”, ISPR quoted Army Chief as saying.
During the meeting, participants were also briefed in detail on external and internal security situations, with a special focus on the flood situation in the country and ongoing relief operations being undertaken by Army Formations, according to a press release issued by ISPR. In mid of this month, Khyber Pakhtunkwa Police was cognizant of videos circulating on Social Media of heavy presence of Militants in Swat Valley, ISPR had said on 13 August.
The Military’s Media Affairs Wing had stated “LEAs are appropriately placed and will resort to all possible measures to ensure peace in Swat as per aspirations of local populace”.
The statement had further said Armed Forces were also aware of apprehension in general public that Swat may return to 2008/09 era when militant ruled the Valley with their version of Shariah.
According to ISPR, KP Police have had assured the public that Security Agencies were fully cognizant of the fact that some individuals from Swat previously living in Afganistan are present in far flung mountainous areas of Swat.
However, the statement had said, Swat was totally under control of Civil Administration and all LEAs (Law Enforcement Agencies) were ready to respond to any misadventure, said the statement, adding, peaceful society of Swat has no space for terrorism in any form and manifestation. – ISPR
