March 23, 2016
News
650 sq km area cleared in NWA so far: COAS
RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army has cleared 650 square kilometres of the uncontrolled area in the final phase of the operation in Shawal Valley, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif said during his visit to North Waziristan Agency on Tuesday.
During a briefing, General Sharif expressed his satisfaction with the progress on the last phase of the operation in Shawal. He vowed to continue operations till total destruction of terrorist hideouts and elimination of terrorism and extremism from the country. He praised the intelligence agencies for busting sleeper cells in urban centres as well as the rest of the country.
Talking to troops on the occasion, the COAS commended the spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in the Shawal Operation in harsh weather conditions and on a treacherous terrain.
The army chief was briefed about the ongoing rehabilitation work and its effects on the socio-economic landscape of the area. He directed all concerned to boost the pace to meet timelines and ensure a dignified and early return of the temporarily displaced people (TDPs) to their native areas.
Later, the COAS interacted with tribal elders and TDPs who recently returned to their native towns and assured them that the army would stay in the area till completion of the resettlement process.
Tribal elders paid rich tribute to the army for successful operations and affirmed that they would never allow the terrorists to return to their area.
The army chief also laid foundation stone of a state of the art Younas Khan Sports Complex at Miranshah. Army engineers would build the sports complex. Renowned cricketer Younas Khan was also present on the occasion.
Later, the COAS visited the under-construction Miranshah Bazaar and praised army engineers for their dedicated efforts.
Earlier, Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant General Hidayat Ur Rehman received the COAS on his arrival. “Tribal elders in the country’s troubled northwest areas have requested the Pakistan Army to stay in the region until the reconstruction and resettlement works are completed,” said a statement issued by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Tuesday.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk