Large area cleared of terrorists in operation Zarb-e-Azb: DG ISPR

Inter-Services Public Relations, Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa Friday said that there are a few sympathizers of Daesh present in Pakistan and vowed a full-fledged action against them when the time came, ARY News reported.

Briefing reporters about army chief General Raheel Sharif’s visit to Washington, Bajwa said the COAS held discussions with US’ top civilian and military leaders on issues ranging from defense, military cooperation, regional security, as well as the long-running Kashmir dispute with India.

On the question of Daesh, the DG ISPR stated that as also mentioned by the army chief, Daesh was a global threat and needed a global response to be defeated.

There is zero tolerance policy for the group in the country.

To a question on Pakistan’s support in fighting the Daesh terrorist group, the DG ISPR said “we are already cooperating in the fight against terrorism in the region in a larger framework”.

The DG ISPR said the entire world had recognised Daish as a threat, which centered in the Middle East and also had elements in Afghanistan.

He said ISIS militants tried to get attention in Pakistan when the space for militancy was already shrinking due to the crackdown against terrorist groups. They will find no place to hide, he asserted.

“The process had taken off and had it continued, there would have been progress made by now”, he added.

When operation Zarb-e-Azb was started the terrorists moved to Khyber Agency. Terrorists fled to Afghanistan being Pak-afghan border open, he pointed out.

About the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb in restive tribal areas along Afghan border, Bajwa said 90 percent of the offensive has been completed; however, he did not give any timeframe for its completion.

He said no time-frame could be given for its end but all objectives will be achieved at the earliest.

He added that Pakistan could offer its vast amount of experience and that the world was benefiting from Pakistan’s experience in combating terrorism.