Operation against terrorists affected by India: Gen Raheel

Published November 19, 2014
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. - Reuters/File photo
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. - Reuters/File photo

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif said Pakistan's operation against terrorists in the country's tribal region was affected by Indian troops' continuous violation of ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB), said a report published by BBC Urdu.

An official in Washington told BBC Urdu, on condition of anonymity, that during his first visit to the United States, the army chief had said that heavy firing by Indian troops along the border and statements issued by their leaders were affecting Pakistan's campaign in fighting against extremism.

Gen Raheel told US officials that Pakistan has deployed 140,000 troops on its Western borders after getting assurance that there would be peace with India on its Eastern borders which did not happen.

However, there was no word on Gen Raheel's statement by the US, but experts often say that the US now avoids interfering in India-Pakistan matters.

Frequency of ceasefire violation along the LoC and working boundary has increased during the past several weeks. Pakistan has also established diplomatic channels to communicate with India over the issue. More than 19 people have lost their lives on both sides as a result of the cross-border conflict.

Gen Raheel was expected to meet US congressmen on Wednesday (today) where he would brief them on the ongoing operation Zarb-i-Azb in North Waziristan. Issues related to US-Pakistan long-term strategic partnership post-withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan would also be discussed during the meeting.

Observers say that Gen Raheel could present Zarb-i-Azb as an example, based on which he will demand continuation of military aid to the country.

According to recently released figures by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), more than 1,200 militants have been killed and 200 militants hideouts have been destroyed during the operation.

The military has also claimed the wiping out of Haqqani Network and the East Turkistan Movement from the region, the report said.

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.