RAWALPINDI: Army Chief General Qama Javed Bajwa has directed the formations to maintain operational readiness and underscored the need for efforts to counter terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, implying that the top brass of Pakistan armed forces going toward a tougher approach against the terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Earlier this month, the TTP militants were seen in Swat’s Matta area and at least one incident of their clash with law-enforcement agencies was reported. Similarly, their presence has been noted in North and South Waziristan where an uptick in target killings and kidnappings has been witnessed.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the 250th Corps Commanders’ Conference was held on Thursday during which Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa briefed the forum on external and internal security situations with particular focus on the flood situation in the country.
While speaking at Corp Commanders Conference, COAS instructed formations to maintain operational readiness and efforts to counter terrorism particularly in KP & Balochistan must continue.
However, the ISPR did not give any details regarding these counter-terrorism operations.
It is worth mentioning that there has been unannounced cessation of hostilities between security forces and TTP since Eid-ul-Fitr.
At present, the two sides are observing a three-month ceasefire as their representatives hold peace talks.
Gen Bajwa’s assertion about the continuation of the kinetic operations in KP and Balochistan provinces comes in the backdrop of growing public resentment about the return of TTP fighters.
Many suspect that the TTP fighters were returning as part of the ongoing peace talks.
