-Visits Upper Dir, Malakand Division
-says terror has no religion
MALAKAND: According to Pakistan Army Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Upper Dir Malakand Division.
Corps Commander Peshawar, Lieutenant General Noman Mahmood received the Chief of Army Staff on his arrival at Upper Dir Malakand Division. The Army Chief was briefed on stabilization operations and border management.
Appreciating the performance of troops on border fencing in rocky and difficult terrain, the COAS said that border security and border management systems were a true reflection of Pakistan’s commitment to peace.
The Chief of Army Staff paid rich tributes to the soldiers for their efforts to restore peace in the region.Qamar Javed Bajwa directed the soldiers to remain vigilant in the wake of recent terrorist incidents by miscreants.
He also visited the children and others injured in the madrassa blast at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and inquired about their health.
On the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff said that innocent children were targeted on December 16, 2014, in APS Peshawar. On the occasion of Black Kashmir Day on October 27, the enemy once again bathed the innocent children of the madrassa in the blood to revive their dark history and nefarious intentions.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that these children included a large number of children of Afghan refugees.
He further said that yesterday also the entire nation had shown unparalleled solidarity by rejecting the statement of terrorists and even today we are united in that spirit.
The Army Chief said that our grief was shared yesterday and is shared today. The enemy was the same yesterday, the enemy is the same today.
Yesterday the nation rejected the enemy and defeated the terrorist ideology. Even today we are united and will fight it together.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that, “I have come to show solidarity and determination especially to share the grief of these children, teachers, and families of the madrassa.” added that “We will not be at peace until we bring the terrorists and their facilitators to justice,”.
The Army Chief said that both Afghanistan and Pakistan have faced terrorism in the last two decades. Pakistan has opened its hearts and doors to the refugee brothers. We have always shared the sorrows and joys of the Afghan brothers. The peace of Afghanistan and Pakistan is intertwined.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that terrorism has no religion, their ideology is to spread terror and create an atmosphere of fear in the society. The attack on the madrassa is in fact anti-Islamic.
He said innocent civilians, including madrassas, pulpits, mosques, imambargahs, churches, temples, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies, were targeted.
The Army Chief said that Pakistan has always wanted peace in Afghanistan and would continue to extend full cooperation for it.
The Afghan refugee brothers in Pakistan must also be vigilant and stay away from such hostile forces so that they do not knowingly and unknowingly be used in terrorist acts.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that the Pak-Afghan border fence is a fence of peace. It is only designed to prevent the illegal movement of terrorists on both sides of the border.
He said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan could not tolerate any instability and chaos in the current situation as the consequences would be dangerous.
The Army Chief said that our hearts used to beat together and we are still connected. Comprehension and unity is the need of the hour. We strive to give a secure, stable, and prosperous Pakistan to future generations.
Earlier this week, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that whatever the odds, the Pakistan Army will always live up to the expectations of the “great nation in the defence of the motherland”.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army chief visited Gujranwala and Marala. At Gujranwala Corps Headquarters, Gen Bajwa was briefed about the operational training, and administrative matters of the Corps.
“Later, COAS visited field training events near Gujranwala and Marala Headworks and witnessed troops honing battle drills and procedures for conventional operations,” the ISPR said.
Speaking to the troops, Gen Bajwa appreciated their battle worthiness and the impressive training standards achieved by the formation, the ISPR said.
“Training being hallmark of professional competence plays a vital role in enhancing combat readiness to withstand the rigours of battle,” the army chief reiterated.
Gen Bajwa visited the Combined Military Hospital Gujranwala where he was briefed on the various upgradation projects undertaken for the benefit of patients.
“COAS lauded the efforts of [the] Army Medical Corps in [the] containment of COVID-19 and saving valuable lives,” the ISPR added.–ISPR
