The armed forces have expressed concerns about the “safe havens and liberty of action” available to the outlawed terrorist group TTP in neighbouring Afghanistan, said the military’s media wing.
“The involvement of Afghan nationals in acts of terrorism in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed,” said the Inter-Services Public Relations in a statement on Friday. “Such attacks are intolerable and would elicit [an] effective response from the security forces of Pakistan.”
The statement comes in the wake of two terrorist attacks against the Pakistani security forces in Balochistan on Wednesday. At least 12 soldiers were martyred in the attacks in Zhob and Sui.
Pakistan has time after time demanded of the interim Afghan government to not allow its soil to be used as a “launchpad” for terrorist activities against other countries. But the Afghan Taliban, the new rulers, have denied such claims and advised Pakistan to review its security measures. instead of blaming.
Moreover, the official handout was issued after Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir visited Quetta Garrison on Friday where he was briefed on the recent terrorist attack in Zhob.
COAS Munir paid rich tribute to the martyrs and inquired after the injured soldiers at the Combined Military Hospital in Quetta. He lauded their services to the nation and appreciated their resolve.
“It is expected that the interim Afghan government would not allow the use of its soil to perpetrate terror against any country, in the real sense and in line with commitments made in the Doha Agreement,” said ISPR statement.
The army added that operations against terrorists would continue “unabated” and the armed forces shall not rest till the menace of terrorism was “rooted out” from the country.
The 267 fatalities of security personnel recorded in the first two quarters of 2023 make up nearly 93% of their fatalities during the entire preceding year, said a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies.
Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terrorist attacks since the outlawed group called a shaky ceasefire agreed with the government. But, locals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the northwestern province sharing the border with Afghanistan, have held demonstrations in the province against the presence of troublemakers. They have demanded the government ensure peace.
Meanwhile, the army chief left for Iran on a two-day official visit. He would meet the Iranian military and civilian leadership during his visit, said the ISPR.
COAS Munir would discuss bilateral matters related to defence and security cooperation.
