Army capable of fighting terror war, says COAS

PESHAWAR: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said the nation is fighting the war against terrorism like a solid rock and every citizen has matchless spirit of making his contribution in efforts to curb the menace faced by the country.

He expressed these views while addressing the convocation of the seventh batch of the Khyber Institute of Technical Education (KITE) here on Wednesday. Corps Commander Lt-Gen Muhammad Masood Aslam, high ranking officials, tribal elders and students of the KITE were present on the occasion.

The COAS said the nation will succeed in overcoming the menace of terrorism as the whole country was fighting this war like a strong wall. Gen Kayani said the achievement of the Pakistan Army in Swat and Waziristan reflected professional competence of the country’s force. He also highly appreciated the role played by the police force and paramilitary forces in fighting the war against terrorism. The Army chief also lauded the role of tribesmen who, he said, had always played a positive role for the integrity and solidarity of the country.

Gen Kayani clarified the military operation in Waziristan was not against any tribe of the Fata, but was totally aimed at eliminating the anti-state elements, who were playing with the lives of innocent people for destabilising Pakistan. He said the training being imparted to tribesmen through the KITE would play an effective role in the development of Fata. Addressing a ceremony held at the Police Lines in Peshawar, meanwhile, Kayani paid rich tributes to the Frontier police for their invaluable sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said the Army has the capability and the capacity to fight the war against terrorists and the sacrifices rendered by the Army reflects the level of their morale.

He highly praised the courage and patience of the Peshawarites and added that the whole world had lauded the courage and sacrifices of the people of Peshawar. He said the terrorists’ attacks and bomb blasts were expected in the country as a reaction to the ongoing successful operation of the Army in the South Waziristan Agency.

Kayani reiterated his resolve that peace would be restored in the country and in Peshawar at any cost. He said the Army would continue its cooperation with the Frontier Police and added that even if the Army had to cut down its enrolment for the training of the Frontier Police, he would do that.

General Kayani said he would present a cheque to the NWFP Inspector General Police to cater for the weapons and ammunition needed for the Frontier police. Earlier, he announced Rs 20 million for the Frontier Police Shuhada Fund and met with the injured police officials and with their parents. Meanwhile, General Kayani also visited the bomb blast victims at the Lady Reading Hospital.