COAS Gen Qamar Bajwa visits Parachinar
Islamabad, Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Bajwa visited Parachinar on Friday where he was brief about security arrangements of troubled area.
According to official statement released by Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan Armed Forces, General Qamar Javed Bajwa was briefed in details about security situation and recent terrorist incidents on his arrival at Parachinar and he interacted with local tribal elders and representatives of the sit-in. COAS expressed his grief on loss of precious lives and said that he was abroad and on return weather delayed his attempts to visit Parachinar.
Meanwhile Commander Peshawar Corps and IGFC were present at Parachinar and implemented directions of COAS in taking care of the victims and the affected families. He said that we as a nation have given unprecedented sacrifices in war against terrorism and we shall succeed. “Our enemies shall never succeed to lower our resolve or to divide us” COAS remarked.
Appreciating FC KP and local administration for their efforts, COAS acknowledged their contributions. To date 126 brave soldiers of FC KP alone have laid their lives and 387 have got injured while performing security duties in Kurram Agency only. “Frontier Constabulary KP is a professional force inclusive of all tribes and sects performing their duties selflessly” COAS said.
Speaking at the occasion Tribal elders expressed their full confidence and trust in Army and its leadership. “We stand with our Security Forces and our blood is for our motherland. We all are Pakistani and Muslim” the elders said.
Later, COAS also met representatives of sit-in and listened to their concerns. “While administrative concerns will be pursued with the executive body, suggestions regarding security mechanism are being incorporated forthwith. We can only be effective when locals are part of the security and vigilance” COAS said.
COAS announced following:
- While there are clear evidences of hostile foreign hands in recent incidents, local facilitators and abettors have been apprehended who will be tried in military courts.
- Additional Army troops have been moved in Parachinar to enhance its security while FC troops are being beefed up on Pak-Afg border to seal it effectively. Toori Razakars are also being dovetailed on check posts.
- Safe city project for Parachinar by installing CCTV cameras in line with the ones in Lahore and Islamabad will be undertaken.
- Fencing of border is already in progress. More sensitive areas of FATA are being fenced in Phase 1 while complete Pak-Afg border including in Baluchistan will be fenced in Phase 2.
According to media reports coming from Parachinar, COAS was also briefed about security situation and updates on Parachinar incident in which over 80 civilians lost their lives in two back to back bomb blasts. Parachinar had been prime target of terrorists and over 150 people lost lives in first six months of year 2017 in different terror attacks in Parachinar.
Locals of Parachinar had been protesting against inappropriate security arrangements and they demanded their meeting with COAS to call off their sit in and protest.
It may be mentioned that COAS planned to visit Parachinar on Tuesday but his visited was postponed because of bad weather. Parachinar is a mountainous region situated at Pak-Afghan border.
It may be mentioned that twin blasts struck a crowded market in the Capital of Kurram agency Parachinar on Friday June 23—just three days before Eidul Fitr, causing deaths of at least 80 persons and injuries to further around 200 civilians. Victims included children and women.
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar which is links with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) took responsibilities of both attacks. TTP had been killing people in Parachinar that had been a prime target of TTP in past.
While talking to local media in Parachinar, Director General Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan Armed Forces, Maj General Asif Ghafoor said that security of entire country is equally important for Army and work is underway for safe-city project in Parachinar. He maintained that fencing and border surveillance system at Pak-Afghan border is also underway.
