On Monday, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif addressed a press conference in Rawalpindi, highlighting the efforts of a so-called “political mafia” to make Operation Azm-e-Istehkam controversial.
Key Points from the Press Conference:
- Political Opposition to Azm-e-Istehkam:
- Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif accused a political and illegal mafia of opposing Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, aiming to hinder its implementation and success.
- Nature of Azm-e-Istehkam:
- Contrary to some portrayals, Azm-e-Istehkam is described as a comprehensive counter-terrorism campaign rather than a purely military operation. The initiative has been developed with national consensus to combat terrorism effectively.
- Government and Military Coordination:
- The DG ISPR emphasized that there are no no-go areas in the country, and the operation will not cause any displacements. The Prime Minister’s Office released a clarifying statement on June 24, reinforcing that Azm-e-Istehkam is not a military operation and urging against politicizing it.
- Operational Statistics:
- Since the beginning of the year, over 22,409 intelligence-based operations have been conducted, averaging 112 operations daily. These operations have led to the elimination of 31 high-value targets, with 137 officers and soldiers martyred in the line of duty.
- Role of Provincial Governments:
- The military has cleared several terrorist-affected areas, but the responsibility for reconstruction and transfer of control lies with the provincial governments. Failure to do so could lead to the resurgence of terrorism, perpetuating a cycle of “clear and hold” operations.
- Bannu Incident:
- Lt Gen Sharif recounted the events of July 15, where eight military personnel were martyred. The subsequent peace march in Bannu included armed participants, leading to clashes and casualties. The DG ISPR defended the military’s actions as adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and urged demonstrations against terrorists instead of the army.
- TTP Chief’s Audio Leak:
- Addressing the leaked audio of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Chief Noor Wali Mehsud, Lt Gen Sharif assured that Pakistan is pursuing the matter. The government plans to seek extradition of terrorists from Afghanistan and lodge a protest with the Afghan Taliban-led interim administration.
Lt Gen Sharif concluded by reiterating the significance of Azm-e-Istehkam in eliminating terrorism and warned against efforts to politicize or undermine the campaign. He highlighted the high stakes involved and called for a unified national effort to ensure the success of the initiative.
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