PESHAWAR: Army Chief General Raheel Sharif celebrated Eid with troops in Miramshah in North Waziristan and internally displaced persons in Bakakhel Camp in Bannu, Inter Services Public Relations said in a press release on Thursday.

It said that Gen Sharif met soldiers taking part in the Zarb-i-Azb operation on July 29 (Eid day) and stayed overnight at the Miramshah Camp.

The operation commander briefed him on operation’s progress.

Gen Raheel expresses satisfaction over achievements and progress made in the operation against Taliban

He expressed satisfaction over achievements and progress made in the operation in North Waziristan. During interaction with troops on the front lines, the army chief praised their high morale, courage and determination.

He advised them to stay focused on speedy and skilful conduct of operation against all terrorists. Now that the militants’ command and communication infrastructure had been disrupted, he added, security forces would never allow them to return.

He stressed the need for strengthening the border mechanism to prevent infiltration from across the border to undermine the effects of operation. He paid rich tribute to officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives and those who suffered injuries. He said the armed forces would not stop short of eradicating the menace of terrorism from across the country.

Later, Gen Sharif visited the camp of displaced people and spent time with them.

He assured the displaced people of the wholehearted support of the army and the nation. The army chief pledged to carry a plan for ultimate resettlement of the displaced.

He acknowledged the cooperation extended by the tribal people and sacrifices rendered by them in the fight against terrorism and reiterated the resolve that they would work together for peace, development and prosperity of the region.

On arrival in Miramshah, the army chief was received by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2014