PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the interim Afghan government Saturday to make a definitive choice between fostering positive relations with Pakistan or continuing to shelter elements of Fitnatul Khwarij.
The prime minister made these remarks on Saturday, while speaking to the media after visiting the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Bannu, and later attended funeral prayer for the martyred soldiers. He reaffirmed that the entire nation, along with Pakistan’s brave armed forces, stands united against menace of terrorism and foreign-sponsored proxies, particularly those backed by India involved in subversive activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the Peshawar corps commander at the CMH, the prime minister inquired about the health of security personnel injured during a recent operation against Fitnatul Khwarij in South Waziristan. He praised the courage, high moral and dedication of the injured soldiers, commending their selfless service to the nation.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz also attended the funeral prayers of the martyred soldiers, calling them the “true heroes of the nation” and vowing that their sacrifices would not go in vain. Addressing the occasion, he stressed that Pakistan desired for peaceful relations with all neighboring countries, including Afghanistan. “The banned TTP and Fitntaul Khwarij are responsible for attacks on innocent civilians and our security forces. Such hostile forces will not be allowed to sabotage peace in Pakistan,” he asserted. He emphasised that national progress and development were directly linked to peace and stability. He reiterated that the sacrifices of Pakistan’s martyred troops would be honored and upheld. He also announced that an important meeting of the federal cabinet would soon be convened aimed at to counter terrorism. “The enemies of Pakistan cannot impose their destructive ideology on our nation. We will defeat them together with full might,” he underlined.
According to security sources, the prime minister said that Afghan nationals were involved in recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan and their early repatriation has become inevitable. He stated that the ringleaders and facilitators of terrorists operating in Pakistan are based in Afghanistan and are being supported by India. He stressed that Afghan nationals illegally residing in the country must be repatriated at the earliest as their involvement in terror attacks cannot be ignored. Shehbaz highlighted that the Pakistani nation rejects divisive politics and misleading narratives on terrorism. He warned that anyone facilitating foreign actors and Indian-backed terror proxies would be dealt with firmly. Any necessary administrative and legal measures required to respond more effectively to terrorism would be implemented without delay, he added.
Earlier, upon his arrival at Bannu Cantt, the prime minister was received by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the Peshawar corps commander. He was given a comprehensive briefing on the region’s security landscape, including threats posed by Fitntaul Khwarij, Indian-backed proxies and their facilitators operating across the western border. He said these hostile elements would not be allowed to attacks our innocent civilians and our brave security forces anymore.
Security forces have killed 35 Indian sponsored Khwarij while 12 soldiers sacrificed their lives in two separate encounters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last four days. From September 10 to 13, as many as 35 Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna al Khwarij were sent to hell while 12 soldiers embraced martyrdom in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
On reported presence of Khwarij, an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted by the security forces in Bajaur District. During the operation, troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, 22 Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell.
In another encounter that took place in South Waziristan District, 13 more Khwarij were neutralised by the security forces. However, during intense fire exchange, 12 brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat, said the ISPR.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from Indian-sponsored killed Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in these areas. Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed physical involvement of Afghan nationals in these heinous acts. Besides, use of Afghan soil against Pakistan by Fitna al Khawarij terrorists continues to remain a grave point of concern. Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan, the ISPR statement said.
Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored Kharji found in the area, as the security forces are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve.
Meanwhile, in another IBO, security forces killed 10 Indian-sponsored Khwarij while seven brave soldiers were martyred in Lower Dir district. On September 11, security forces conducted an IBO in general area Lal Qilla Maidan, Lower Dir District, on reported presence of Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij, the ISPR in a statement said.
During the operation, troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, 10 Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell. However, during the intense fire exchange, seven brave sons of soil, Naik Abdul Jalil (age: 39 years, resident of District North Waziristan), Naik Gul Jan (age: 38, resident of District Lakki Marwat), Lance Naik Azmat Ullah (age: 28 resident of District Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Abdul Malik (age: 28, resident of District Khyber), Sepoy Muhammad Amjad (age: 27, resident of District Malakand), Sepoy Muhammad Dawood (age: 23 l, resident of District Swabi) and Sepoy Fazal Qayum (age: 21, resident of District Dera Ismail Khan) having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat while saving precious lives of innocent civilians, who were made hostage by Indian-sponsored Khawarij. Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed physical involvement of Afghan nationals in these heinous acts.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound grief over the martyrdom of valiant soldiers who laid down their lives while fighting the Indian-backed Fitna al Khawarij. The president paid glowing tribute to the courage and sacrifice of shaheed heroes, noting that their blood further strengthens the nation’s resolve to eradicate terrorism. He expressed concern over the continued use of Afghan soil by these terrorists and urged the Afghan interim government to uphold its responsibility of ensuring that its territory is not used against Pakistan. The president reaffirmed that Pakistan will never be bowed by violence and will defeat the Fitna al Khawarij and their sponsors.
The prime minister also lauded the security forces for successful operations against Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists. He commended the security forces for killing 45 Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in three different operations in districts of Lower Dir, Bajaur and South Waziristan. He paid tribute to seven security forces personnel who sacrificed their lives while bravely fighting terrorists.
He prayed for the highest ranks of martyrs in heaven and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He said that Pakistani forces were standing like solid rock and the entire nation paid tribute to them. The prime minister also reiterated the resolve to eradicate terrorism of all kinds from the country.
