Attempts by Daesh to organise itself in Pakistan have been foiled: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI, September 1: Director General Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa has said that attempts by Daesh to organize itself in Pakistan have been foiled. He said the people who are propagating against Pakistan while sitting abroad have been rejected by Pakistanis. He said terrorist incidents have been decreased by 77 percent in Karachi in result of targeted operation. He said speculations about the extension in tenure of army chief’s service should be avoided. Bajwa said we have already given position regarding the issue. He said we do know there are sympathizers or facilitators of terrorists across the country at places, we have a picture and we are going after everyone we will go after everyone irrespective regardless of the place. He said entire nation has borne the cost of the war against terrorism, which tallied up to $106.9 billion
Briefing newsmen in Rawalpindi about progress in operation Zarb-e-Azb, Asim Saleem Bajwa said in this connection 309 arrests have been made including 25 foreigners of Afghan, Syrian and Iraqi nationalities. He said people linked with Daesh had plans to target important personalities belonging to different walks of life and state symbols. He said the presence of Daesh in Afghanistan is also challenge for Pakistan.
Giving update on achievements of operation Zarb-e-Azb, he said 3500 terrorists have so far been killed and 992 hide outs destroyed. He said 900 terrorists have been killed in Khyber operation. He said 537 personnel of armed forces were martyred and 2272 others injured.
The Director-General ISPR said Pakistan incurred staggering losses in men and material in the war against terror and therefore, no one should doubt Pakistan’s intention to fight the menace.
He said 21383 intelligence based operations have been carried out in the entire country during which 222 terrorists were killed and 31400 arrests made. There have been 168 combing operations leading to 744 arrests.
He said 900 terrorists have been killed in Khyber Agency. He said the network of terrorists has been broken in Khyber Agency. He said the purpose of operation Zarb-e-Azb is complete eradication of terrorism from country. He said North Waziristan was the hub of terrorism in country prior to starting operation. He said so far 168 combing operation have been conducted in country on secret information.
He said speculations about the extension in tenure of army chief’s service should be avoided. Bajwa said we have already given position regarding the issue. Bajwa said we have not got any evidence or linkage of Daesh with Quetta terrorist attack.
He said our resolve and determination as a nation against terrorism is absolutely clear and there is zero tolerance for terrorism and there is no concept of good or bad Taliban.
He said special operations and IBOs have been carried out in Punjab, adding that even today six terrorists have been arrested from Faisalabad out of them two are recruiters and handlers of suicide bombers and are linked with Al-Qaeda. He said these terrorists were trying to hide in Faisalabad. He said the issues of NAB powers and rangers’ powers in Punjab are being discussed, adding that we are trying to complete the job and for this the powers are necessary.
He said we do know there are sympathizers or facilitators of terrorists across the country at places, we have a picture and we are going after everyone we will go after everyone irrespective regardless of the place. – Sabah