Thursday, April 22, 2010

Regarding Taliban, Pakistani Army Chief Vows: "Operation to go on til militants are eliminated"


What great, great news to see the head of Pakistan's army make a total commitment to the elimination of the Taliban in the Malakland division ( a swath of several NW Provincial agencies including Dir and Swat)! From the story at DAWN:


Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said the army will stay in Malakand division till the elimination of last militant and restoration of peace in the region.

Gen Kayani said the militants had tried to establish a parallel government and challenged the writ of government in Swat and Malakand, but security forces in cooperation with local people defeated them in a short span of time.

Unfortunately, while the Pakistanis HAVE had good success especially in Swat and Malakland, the Taliban are still lousy throughout the region but it is quite reassuring to hear this level of commitment from the head of the army. One thing I have noticed is that the Taliban don't even offer up a proposed peace agreement anymore - I think that has a lot to do with the fact that they are too busy running and hiding, running and hiding and trying not to get killed.


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Operation to go on till militants eliminated


SWAT/KHAR: Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said the army will stay in Malakand division till the elimination of last militant and restoration of peace in the region.

He was addressing a jirga of elders, Ulema and notables at the Circuit House in Mingora during a visit to Swat on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Yasin Malak, incharge of Sawt operation Maj-Gen Ashfaq Nadeem, incharge of Upper Swat operation Maj-Gen Javed Iqbal, Commissioner of Malakand Fazal Karim Khattak and other officers.

Gen Kayani said the militants had tried to establish a parallel government and challenged the writ of government in Swat and Malakand, but security forces in cooperation with local people defeated them in a short span of time.

He said that over two million people had been displaced but the forces made history by repatriating them to their areas in just three months. He said the people of Swat would not be left at the mercy of militants, adding that army personnel would protect their lives and property.

He said the detained militant leaders would be presented to the local court to decide their fate.The army chief said that peace committees would be strengthened to effectively frustrate militants’ designs to regroup.

He said the army had started rebuilding of educational institutions and taken up developmental projects which would be completed soon.

Gen Kayani inaugurated a government school in Shamozai. Speaking on the occasion, he assured local people that more solar energy units would be set up in the area. He laid floral wreath on the memorial of martyrs and offered Fateha at Shuhada Park in Saidu Sharif. He also visited the public library and orphanage in the town.

Our correspondent in Bajaur adds: The army chief said the backbone of militants had been broken and positive results had been achieved in the Bajaur tribal region.

Addressing a jirga of elders of Tarkhani and Othmankhel tribes in Khar on Wednesday, Gen Kayani praised the role of tribal people during the military operations.

He was accompanied by Lt-Gen Asif Yasin Malak and Inspector General of Frontier Corps Maj-Gen Tariq Khan.

Gen Kayani said that militants had been eliminated, writ of government had been established and now the tribal region would see progress and prosperity.

The army chief met soldiers and praised their role in flushing out militants from the region.

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