ISLAMABAD - Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said that terrorists have hit at the heart of nation by attacking a school in Peshawar. He vowed to go after these ‘inhumane beasts’ and their facilitators till their complete elimination. “Let me reiterate they can’t in any way diminish the will of this great nation,” the army chief said.
According to a tweet message of Director General Inter Services Public Relations Major General Asim Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel says, “This ghastly act of cowardice of killing innocents clearly indicated they are not enemies of Pakistan but enemies of humanity.”
The Army chief said, “Peshawar attack had taken their resolve to new height and we’ll chase them across the border”. He said that several operations based on actionable intelligence have been put into action including 10 airstrikes in Khyber on Tuesday.
Earlier, addressing the passing-out parade of Balochistan recruits in Quetta on Tuesday, Gen Sharif said that Pakistan’s future is linked with the development of Balochistan and it is a matter of satisfaction that the people of Balochistan have rejected all the anti-state elements. He said that a handful of elements spreading hatred and terrorism in Balochistan would be defeated completely and the province would soon become a land of peace.
According to a statement of ISPR, the COAS said that the armed forces of Pakistan are a symbol of national integrity and keeping in view this fact, thousands of youths of Balochistan have been inducted into the army as officers and soldiers.
The army chief said the incumbent Balochistan government has been taking all the possible measures for development of the province, and the Pakistan Army has been fully supporting it in all the fields including law and order. “The Pakistan army is assisting the police and other law enforcement agencies with capacity building,” the army chief said. Thanking Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch for being a part of the occasion, the army chief congratulated the cadets on their passing out.
“This day is not only memorable for you, but it is also memorable for Pakistan. It is an important day for the nation,” Raheel said. He also said the Pakistan Army would recruit Baloch youth, adding, “I am sure the youth of Balochistan will not fall behind.”  “The progress of Balochistan is a priority for all of us, and Pakistan’s future is linked with the Balochistan’s progress,” the army chief said. “It [Balochistan] will become an example of peace and prosperity.”