Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Friday reaffirmed the commitment of Pakistan’s security forces to comprehensively dismantle the terrorist networks threatening the country and eradicate all illegal activities. His statement came during a visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district, where he met troops involved in recent counter-terrorism operations in the Tirah Valley, according to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
During the visit, Gen Munir received a detailed briefing on the security situation and ongoing intelligence-based operations aimed at stabilizing the merged districts. He lauded the morale of the troops, praising their preparedness to counter any threat, and reiterated the determination to eliminate the hostile terrorist nexus.
In his address, the army chief paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the martyrs of the Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies (LEAs), stating, “The peace achieved through the great sacrifices of the nation will be preserved at all costs.” He further stressed that the sacrifices of these martyrs strengthen the resolve to fight with dedication and a spirit of selflessness.
The COAS also praised the contributions of the police and other LEAs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, pledging continued support from the Pakistan Army to bolster their capacity in the newly merged districts. Emphasizing the importance of building the capacity of LEAs, Gen Munir acknowledged the crucial role of local communities in assisting security forces, underscoring that their cooperation is essential for lasting peace.
Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist activities over the past year, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off its ceasefire in November 2022. An annual security report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies revealed that 2023 recorded a six-year high in violence, with 1,524 fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations. Over 90% of the violence occurred in KP and Balochistan.
Last month, in intelligence-based operations in the Tirah Valley, security forces eliminated at least 25 militants, including a key TTP leader, Abuzar alias Saddam, while four soldiers were martyred in the operations. The ISPR noted that these operations were based on solid intelligence and dealt significant blows to the TTP and its affiliates.
