Kayani asks tribesmen to help purge Fata of militants

GHALLANAI: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Saturday urged the tribesmen to cooperate with security forces to purge the area of militants.

Addressing a Jirga of elders of Mohmand tribes during his visit to Ghallanai, the headquarters of militancy-infested Mohmand Agency, the Army chief said great responsibility rested on the shoulders of tribesmen and they had to play their role in the ongoing operation against the militants and miscreants. “The cooperation of tribesmen with security forces is necessary to establish the writ of the state, purge the area of militants and bring a lasting peace to the region,” Kayani said.

Earlier, in his speech to the Jawans of Mohmand Rifles — a wing of paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) — fighting militants in the troubled tribal agency, the Army chief told the personnel to keep their spirit and morale high and make the ongoing operation a success. He praised the performance of security forces and said they had inflicted heavy losses on militants during the actions taken so far. He also said efforts would be made to bring the FC perks and facilities at par with the Army.

The corps commander Peshawar and the FC inspector general accompanied the Army chief during his visit to the Mohmand Agency. Earlier, the Mohmand Rifles commandant briefed the Army chief on the ongoing military operation in the restive tribal agency.

Meanwhile, the Peshawar-Bajaur Road remained closed for all kinds of traffic during the Army chief’s visit to the Mohmand Agency, adding to woes of the migrating displaced persons and passengers. The authorities also kept the Army chief’s visit secret and the local journalist community was not invited to attend the briefing.

ISPR adds: The COAS also met tribal elders and appreciated the efforts by tribes to evict the foreign elements from their area and said the support of local people was critical for the success of these operations to purge the area of miscreants and terrorists.

The tribal elders expressed their full support for the military operations. They reiterated their resolve to eliminate these militants from their area and bring back peace and security. They said they were, they are and they will always remain in the first line of defence for Pakistan.

The COAS directed local commanders to extend all possible help in providing medical facilities and looking after the victims of miscreants’ atrocities. Earlier, on arrival in the area, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Muhammad Masood Aslam, Corps Commander, Peshawar.