KHYBER AGENCY - Rejecting rumours about the presence of ISIL fighters in Fata, a senior security forces official has said that they would continue war against terrorism until last enemy was eliminated from the Pakistani soil.
Sector Commander Brigadier Wajid Qayyum Paracha stated this while speaking as chief guest at the Khyber Rifles (KR) 20th passing out parade held here yesterday.
Brigadier Wajid said Pakistan army was capable to defend the country’s boundaries. He said the mission of the security forces was to provide foolproof security to the people of tribal areas. He said peace has been restored in Tirah valley and Bara areas at the cost of a large number of civil and military casualties rendered for the sake of the motherland. He said they were chasing some of the remaining TTP and LI affiliates in the hilly border with Afghanistan.
The official said all of the militants’ hideouts and other of their sanctuaries were destroyed while hundreds of other fighters were killed. Appreciating the outstanding services by the paramilitary troops, brigadier Wajid said Khyber Rifles had played a tremendous role in wars fought against militants in the tribal region. He said they feel proud on the soldiers imparting services in Khyber Rifles.
The army official said they would not ignore those soldiers and officials of the security forces who sacrificed lives for the sake of Pakistan. He said they were providing social and economical support to the martyred families.
Sector commander urged the newly recruits that they should respect the local culture and Pashtoons’ tradition while conducting military actions in the area.
Political Agent of Khyber Agency, Sayed Shahab Ali Shah said that militants with different identities and groups are the Pakistan’s enemies. He said Khasadars and Khyber Levies forces along with the Pak-army have conducted raids on the suspected hide outs.
He said several of important TTP commanders were killed in raids carried out in different areas of Khyber Agency.
PA Khyber said a good number of TTP and LI fighters were arrested from different areas of Khyber Agency. Shahab said 0.1 million families had been displaced due to militancy and military operations in Bara tehsil. He said eighty thousands of the displaced families had been sent back to their hometowns in Bara after peace was reported. He said they would complete the rest of repatriation process till the end of this year.
Regarding the Lashkar-e-Islam Cheif Mangal Bagh audio message he aired a few days ago from his own run FM Radio channel that he did not join ISIL, Shahab said Mangal Bagh was not in Pakistan as he fled from military operation conducted against all out laws. The official said Mangal Bagh speaks to his fighter through a FM radio based in bordering area in Afghanistan.
Earlier, the Brigadier took oath from the newly 250 recruits after completing a six month physical training in Landikotal army garrison. Commandant Khyber Rifles, Col Tariq Hafeez, assistant political agent of Landikotal, Nasir Khan, parents of the recruits, students, local elders and other civil and military officials also witnessed the ceremony held amid tight security arrangements.