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Pakistan's new army chief defies terrorist attacks
PESHAWAR: Despite reiterating full support to the ongoing government-led peace process with the Taliban militants, Pakistan’s new army chief General Raheel Sharif Saturday vowed to not tolerate any more terrorist attacks.
During his visit to the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, he emphasised that terrorist attacks will not be tolerated and will be responded effectively, said a statement issued by the ISPR.
Ruling out military action against proscribed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as its first preference, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government has promised to persuade insurgents to lay down their weapons through peace negotiations.
PM Sharif, earlier this week, said the government will use “force as a last resort.”
The Pakistani Taliban, however, have dismissed the government’s peace initiative saying they have information that plans are already under way for a military operation, adding the insurgents were ready for battle.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Sharif laid a flower wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada (martyrs’ monument) on his arrival in the capital of troubled Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan.
“He paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the defence of motherland,” said the statement.
Later, he was briefed in detail at the Corps Headquarters about various operational, training and administrative matters.
The army chief appreciated the resolve displayed by the officers and men during fight against terrorism and bringing stability to the militancy hit areas.
The clashes between militants and Pakistani security forces, erupted following a suicide attack on a military checkpoint which killed at least five soldiers and wounded 34 others Wednesday night, have seen at least 53 people dead in North Waziristan.
Still unclear is whether the individuals who have been killed in this week’s clashes are civilian or militant. Indeed, the entire chain of events that has left the whole of North Waziristan under a curfew for four days is shrouded in confusion. Competing version of events between military sources, militant groups and local residents cannot yet be reconciled in an area that is inaccessible to most journalists.
Appreciating the infrastructure building and reconstruction work being undertaken by the Pakistan Army for socio-economic benefit of the local population of FATA and Malakand, the army chief instructed all concerned to ensure quality and timely completion of these projects.
Earlier, on his arrival in Peshawar, the COAS was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani.
Comments (28) Closed
Yes, the Taliban,s offensive attitude should be responded forcefully. Thay dont deserve for any soft and flexible policy.They do not consider themselves as citizenes of Pakistan when they have denied it. Talking with monster is madness.Pakistani people have suffered alot, they want to get rid of ruthless stakeholders .
TTP has killed thousands of civilians, women and children and they are continuing with their unrestrained- killing spree. Since there is no definite hope that they will come to the peace-dialogue table and they intend to continue with their fatal attacks, it is time to stop them by any means.
Finally, someone with a back bone in Pakistan stood up to these terrorists. This is what most Pakistanis have been waiting for. I always knew it can ONLY be army to stand up and defend Pakistan. Politicians have done absolutely NOTHING for Pakistan, ever.
I expected better of Gen. Sharif. It would have been equally important and appropriate to remember the civilian casualties of this war as well.
Something that Kiyani should have been very clear about. Each and every TTP attack shoudl be answered with massive force and immediacy. This is the only language that the TTP understand and respect. This slogan about "talks" is a non-starter and is being used by the TTP as a ruse.
We need a strong military leader to confront the on-going threats by the terrorists - and I can see our current COAS General Sharif to be that person. With his life long service to the country and also, coming from a family who have committed themselves to the safety and security of our beloved country, I can see us being in good hands. While our politicians can "talk the talk" - they have really not experienced what true sacrifice is - most of them were born with a "silver spoon in their mouth". General Sharif is different. I wish him much success and I pray that Pakistan is no longer ruled by corruption. For once, I am glad in most cases, our military does not have to take orders from our political leaders and can freely do, what is best for our country. God bless Pakistan.
Thank you Gen Sharif. Finally we got a true hero from a heroic family to lead a heroic Army. The nation is proud of you General.
Thank You COAS! Please save Pakistan from these lunatics (they shouldn't be even called muslims). All credit goes to our martyred jawans, they are our country shuhdas who gave their lives to protect and save Pakistan.
ALLAH -O - AKBAR
We are with you, General , go ahead, don't listen to these coward politicians they will never respond to Taliban, even last Pakistani get killed, they just was to save themselves, both Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharief will never go against them they have traded their safety with the nations pride. Please go ahead lot of Pakistanis will pray for your success and will stand behind you. You are the only hope.
Lets see how this goes...
Saying it is good........doing it is even better.
Thanks god there is somebody out there whose patriotism is beyond doubt and he is thinking about the common man rather than reaching some Mukmuka with the terrorists.
Great move, Sir. May the force be with you to eradicate the scums from this earth. But the big question is: Why did you wait for so long and so many deaths? Another big question is: Why are you still tolerating IK who is clearly on the side of TTP?
Thank you, now the civilian govt should go ahead and put the 'himayatis' of these taliban in jail. People such as Orya Maqbool Jaan
Now this is what I like to hear from a General of the Pakistan Army.
It will be foolish for the Army not to attack militants and terrorists for fear of innocent human casualties. It is a heavy price Pakistanis have to pay to defend Pakistan and future generation. Only Pakistani Army knows how to destroy enemies of Pakistan.
Gen Kiyani used to 'not tolerate' terrorist attacks either. Yet the worst attacks in Pakistani history happened under his watch.
Good job root them out
Sir we always proud our army. now country need army to help country and peoples of pakistan
Army great cheif great as nation i telling army we always proud u.
This means that Gen. Kayani was sleeping , and now Gen. Sharif will not tolerate terrorists in N Waziristan. Good work. New Gen.
Its good revenge from Army. Sir Chief keep it up. A stubborn persons will never accept logic
Saying it good........doing it is even better.
Bravo Gen. Sharif. Pakistan needs this kind of Army Chief. Long Live Pakistan
@Arslan Ahmad: And what is the logic?
First positive message to the Negative Cleric of Pakistan
Once you give in to terrorists' demands, they will come back and ask for more. So, General, please act before it gets out of control. Best of luck.
General Saheb - Don't forget Musharaf, who did so much for our country.