Says country remains committed to dismantling terrorist infrastructure wherever it poses a threat
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir poses for a group photograph with participants of the 20th National Workshop Balochistan at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Photo: ISPR
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on Thursday, saying consistent efforts by security forces and law enforcement agencies, backed by the steadfast support of the people, would bring lasting peace to Balochistan amid a recent string of attacks in the restive province.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the field marshal made the remarks while interacting with participants of the 20th National Workshop Balochistan at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Addressing the participants, Field Marshal Munir said the consistent efforts of security forces and law enforcement agencies, supported by the people, would ensure lasting peace in Balochistan.
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“Targeted operations against Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan will continue with full resolve until the menace of terrorism and its abettors are eliminated from Pakistan,” he said, reaffirming the country’s resolve to dismantle terrorist infrastructure wherever it poses a threat to Pakistan and its people.
Fitna al-Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna al-Hindustan refers to terrorist groups operating in Balochistan.
The army chief said foreign-sponsored proxies had persistently sought to fuel violence, undermine stability and disrupt peace in Balochistan.
“Their nefarious designs, however, will be defeated through firm and decisive response of the armed forces, supported by the resilience and unity of the people of Pakistan,” he said.
During the interaction, Field Marshal Munir described Balochistan as the pride of Pakistan, saying the province was endowed with immense natural wealth and blessed with vibrant, resilient and patriotic people who constituted its greatest strength.
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He highlighted the ongoing development initiatives of the federal and provincial governments, saying they were aimed at transforming Balochistan’s socio-economic landscape through an inclusive and people-centric approach.
The chief of defence forces also lauded the constructive role of civil society, academia, the media and youth in strengthening national integration and contributing to Balochistan’s long-term peace and prosperity.
He further stressed the need for national unity and perseverance to shape the country’s future trajectory.
The session concluded with a candid and wide-ranging interaction, during which participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to Pakistan’s stability, progress and sovereignty.
Terrorism has increased significantly in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, in recent months. Although K-P has borne the brunt of the violence, Balochistan has also remained a major target of what the state describes as Indian proxies, which have often targeted civilians and military installations in the province.
In one such attack on the last day of last year, terrorists targeted civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts, where 18 people, including women, children, the elderly and labourers, were martyred. Security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and, according to the military, thwarted the “evil designs” of the terrorists, killing 92 militants. Fifteen security personnel were also martyred during the operation.
The forces continued operations across the provinces against what the state describes as Indian-sponsored terrorists and their proxies, but despite these efforts, the groups have continued to target civilian and defence installations.
Earlier this month, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault. .
In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.
Earlier on Thursday, security forces killed six terrorists and arrested several others, including male and female suicide bombers, during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Khad Kocha area of Balochistan’s Mastung district.
