RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army launched today Operation Khyber-IV in Rajgal Valley of Khyber Agency along the Pak-Afghan border to clear the area of terrorism.
This was announced by Director General Inter Services Public Relations Major General Asif Ghafoor in Rawalpindi this afternoon.
He said DA’ISH has increased its influence on the Afghan side and objective behind the operation is to check their cross border intrusion to carryout terrorist activities on our side of the border.
The DG said one division troops with the support of PAF are taking part in the operation. He said Rajgal Valley is the toughest terrain in FATA. He said international border with Afghanistan will be fully secured to check infiltration of terrorists and to destroy their hideouts in our side of the border.
Asif Ghafoor said that about 500 families had been living in this area, which are currently staying at safer places as Temporarily Displaced Persons. He said due to effective security operations in the tribal belt, incidents of terrorism have reasonably been declined in the country.
Turning to Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, the ISPR Chief said 46 major operations and over 9,000 intelligence based operations were launched, while 10707 joint check posts were established across Pakistan. Thirteen major operations and over 800 IBOs were conducted in Balochistan. In Sindh, 522 terrorists voluntarily surrendered while fifteen killed. In Punjab, six major operations and over 7000 IBOs were carried out. Twenty two terrorists were also killed. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, twenty seven major operations were launched, while 817 intelligence based operations were also conducted. Commenting on security situation in Karachi, he said incidents of terrorism have declined by 98 percent.
Elaborating situation on the Line of Control, Asif Ghafoor said India is committing massive ceasefire violations on LOC to divert world attention from the grave human rights violations and indigenous struggle of Kashmiris in the Occupied Kashmir.
To a question, he said the Army Chief will take a final decision on the appeal of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jhadav at the earliest. He assured that the decision of the Army Chief will be based on justice.
Making a statement on situation in Afghanistan, Asif Ghafoor said Afghan forces are losing its hold over the areas under its control. He said Afghan forces will have to strengthen its footprints on its soil to check the influence of terrorist outfits like DA’ISH.
He said Pakistan has also decided to fence its entire border with Afghanistan and first phase of fencing is underway. He said we will also ensure physical and technical surveillance of the fence. He said Pakistan believes in an open door policy with Afghanistan. He clarified that Pakistan does not approve boots on ground of any country on its soil. Any coordinated operations with Afghanistan will be meant for actions by both the countries on their respective territories.
To a question, the DG said Raymond Davis has written his book as contractor and such books have their own agendas, which could be exposed later on.
Answering a question, he said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is very critical for the development of the country. He said the security forces of Pakistan are very vigilant to foil enemies’ designs against CPEC.
