Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Friday vowed to continue operations against “Indian-sponsored terrorist outfits”, saying they would be hit hard wherever they were found.
During a visit to Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, the army chief was briefed on the prevailing security situation, ongoing counterterrorism operations, border management measures and the operational preparedness of formations deployed in the province, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Munir commended the morale and professionalism of officers and troops and directed them to maintain vigilance and the highest standards of operational readiness to counter threats effectively.
Paying tribute to the sacrifices of the Pakistani people, including personnel of the security forces who had been killed or wounded in service, he expressed confidence that Pakistan, with public support, would defeat terrorists and their ideology.
The army chief was received by the commander of Peshawar Corps upon arrival, the ISPR said.
The development comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing the worsening security situation and a resurgence of terrorism, while blaming the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for undermining counterterrorism efforts.
Addressing a high-level meeting of the Apex Committee, the prime minister said the government had been compelled to take the measures in response to the deteriorating security situation in the province.
He accused the previous PTI government of allowing terrorists to return, claiming that its actions had undermined the gains made in the fight against terrorism.